Collin Morikawa cruises to Zozo Championship title in Japan to break two-year title drought
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Collin Morikawa of the US with his victory trophy at the awarding ceremony of the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship on Oct 22.
PHOTO: AFP
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INZAI – Collin Morikawa said he had refound “the golf I miss playing” after ending a two-year title drought with a resounding victory at the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship in Japan on Sunday.
The two-time Major champion ended six strokes clear at Narashino Country Club after firing seven birdies for a bogey-free 63 and finished on 14-under 266.
It gave him his sixth win on the PGA Tour and his first title since the 2021 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai and he said it “meant the world” to lift the trophy.
“Having this two-year drought, just struggling at times, not really contending, to do what I did through this entire week – that’s the golf I miss playing,” added Morikawa, whose last PGA Tour win was at the 2021 British Open.
“To see that again, it’s very exciting to close out this year and to head into next year.”
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both carded final-round 70s and finished joint-second on eight-under.
Morikawa, 26, was playing his first tournament since being part of the American team that failed to retain the Ryder Cup in Rome in September.
He led after the first round of the 78-man, no-cut event on the outskirts of Tokyo but faded before roaring back into contention in the third round with five birdies on the last six holes.
The American picked up where he left off on the final day, hitting four birdies on the front nine to surge into the lead. He closed out the win with one last birdie to set a new record for the tournament’s largest margin of victory.
Morikawa said he had no doubts that his title drought would end and it was “more about when it was going to happen”.
“The thoughts in your head start piling up like, what did I do differently, what do I need to change?” he added. “I just needed to take two steps back and really understand the foundation of what made me so solid of a player.”
Justin Suh held a one-shot overnight lead but faded badly. He shot 74 to finish on five-under.
Xander Schauffele, who was also playing his first competition since the Ryder Cup, closed with a 71 to finish on two-over 282. The Tokyo Olympic champion was only three strokes off the lead after two rounds but went backwards over the weekend.
Collin Morikawa tees off at the first hole during the final round of the Zozo Championship in Japan, on Oct 22.
PHOTO: AFP
Defending champion Keegan Bradley (69) finished on one-under 279, while 2021 winner Hideki Matsuyama (72) was five-over 285.
The US$8.5 million (S$11.7 million) Zozo Championship was established in 2019 as the first PGA Tour tournament in Japan. Thousands of Japanese fans turned up then to watch Tiger Woods win the inaugural title for his 82nd PGA Tour victory – equalling Sam Snead’s 54-year-old record.
Morikawa, who has Japanese heritage, also enjoyed the support of the home fans and said he was “able to connect with the people out here”.
It was also extra special to have his wife Katherine Zhu, who gave him a kiss when he came off No. 18, in the gallery. “She hasn’t been to a win. It’s been a long time since she’s actually been at the tournament since we won. So it’s nice to have her here,” he said. AFP
