Morikawa takes first major PGA championship
NAMPA/AFP
Collin Morikawa claimed his first major championship on Sunday, delivering a magical eagle on the 16th hole in a bogey-free round of 64 at the 2020 PGA Championship.
The 23-year-old American, who turned pro just 14 months ago, did the unthinkable by winning in just his second career major appearance.
Morikawa, who is ranked 12th in the world, eventually finished at 13-under 267 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
Amazing feeling to win
“It's amazing. It's been a life goal, obviously as a little kid, kind of watching everyone grow up, all these professionals, and this is always what I've wanted to do,” Morikawa said. “I felt very comfortable from the start.
“As an amateur, junior golfer, turning professional last year, but to finally close it off and come out here in San Francisco, pretty much my second home where I spent the last four years, is pretty special,” added Morikawa, who grew up in Los Angeles but went to college at Berkeley in San Francisco.
“It was going to take a very, very good round today, and I knew with the leader board, the way it was looking and everyone out there, you just had to play well.”
Third round leader Dustin Johnson had to settle for a tie for second with England's Paul Casey. Johnson shot a 68 and Casey closed with a 66 to reach 11-under 269.
Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau and Scottie Scheffler all finished in a tie for fourth, three shots adrift of Morikawa.
Heading into the final round, there were 10 players within three shots of the lead. The packed leader board continued throughout Sunday's round as it looked like any of a half a dozen players could emerge victorious.
When Johnson made the turn after his ninth hole, he was tied with three others for the lead at 10 under. They were soon joined by others making it a six-way tie for the lead on the back nine.
Putting it all together
Morikawa put it all together in the fourth round, keeping pace with the leaders throughout, then emerging from the pack late in the round.
Morikawa had four birdies, including two in his first four holes as he got off to a hot start. But it was his eagle at 16 that really separated him from the tight pack at the top of the leader board.
Collin Morikawa claimed his first major championship on Sunday, delivering a magical eagle on the 16th hole in a bogey-free round of 64 at the 2020 PGA Championship.
The 23-year-old American, who turned pro just 14 months ago, did the unthinkable by winning in just his second career major appearance.
Morikawa, who is ranked 12th in the world, eventually finished at 13-under 267 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
Amazing feeling to win
“It's amazing. It's been a life goal, obviously as a little kid, kind of watching everyone grow up, all these professionals, and this is always what I've wanted to do,” Morikawa said. “I felt very comfortable from the start.
“As an amateur, junior golfer, turning professional last year, but to finally close it off and come out here in San Francisco, pretty much my second home where I spent the last four years, is pretty special,” added Morikawa, who grew up in Los Angeles but went to college at Berkeley in San Francisco.
“It was going to take a very, very good round today, and I knew with the leader board, the way it was looking and everyone out there, you just had to play well.”
Third round leader Dustin Johnson had to settle for a tie for second with England's Paul Casey. Johnson shot a 68 and Casey closed with a 66 to reach 11-under 269.
Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau and Scottie Scheffler all finished in a tie for fourth, three shots adrift of Morikawa.
Heading into the final round, there were 10 players within three shots of the lead. The packed leader board continued throughout Sunday's round as it looked like any of a half a dozen players could emerge victorious.
When Johnson made the turn after his ninth hole, he was tied with three others for the lead at 10 under. They were soon joined by others making it a six-way tie for the lead on the back nine.
Putting it all together
Morikawa put it all together in the fourth round, keeping pace with the leaders throughout, then emerging from the pack late in the round.
Morikawa had four birdies, including two in his first four holes as he got off to a hot start. But it was his eagle at 16 that really separated him from the tight pack at the top of the leader board.
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