Collin Morikawa to his caddie: “I don’t know if we’re ever going to do that again”

Collin Morikawa had plenty of reasons to be optimistic following the 2024 Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. For the third consecutive PGA Tour event, Morikawa found himself in contention heading into the final round. However, once again, he faced a formidable challenge in the form of Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler, who claimed his fifth PGA Tour title of the year at Muirfield Village, continues to impress with his remarkable play. “The guy could be off balance and the ball’s right down the middle of the fairway,” Morikawa remarked on Sunday evening, reflecting on Scheffler’s consistent performance.

One aspect of Morikawa’s game that stood out during the tournament was his mastery of Muirfield Village’s par-3 12th hole. Morikawa managed to play the hole in an impressive three-under par for the week. He highlighted his achievement with memorable shots, including sinking a 26-foot putt for birdie in the first round, landing his ball nine feet from the hole in the third round, and draining a 32-foot putt on Sunday to put pressure on Scheffler. This performance was particularly notable given that, across the week, the field managed only 29 birdies, 146 pars, and 58 bogeys on the 12th hole, with 15 double bogeys or worse.

“That’s ridiculous,” Morikawa said, reflecting on his success on the 12th hole. “I looked at my caddie (JJ) today and I was like, I don’t know if we’re ever going to do that again.”

Morikawa, known for his calm and composed demeanor, noted that he often feels he goes unnoticed in the shadow of other top players. “I feel like I’m always under the radar,” he said, acknowledging the perception but maintaining a positive outlook.

As he prepares to head to Pinehurst No. 2 for the 2024 U.S. Open, Morikawa is unfazed by the prospect of flying under the radar. Scottie Scheffler is unsurprisingly the betting favorite for the upcoming major, followed by PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, and Morikawa himself.

Reflecting on his position in the sport, Morikawa shared that he felt overlooked before the final round of the PGA Championship. “I could care less,” he said. He believes that being perceived as an underdog could work to his advantage as he prepares for the U.S. Open.

“Look, I’m not flashy by any means,” Morikawa explained. “[My] golf game doesn’t spurt out long drives or crazy putting or whatever. But I just kind of find a way to get it done and that’s kind of what I stayed true to.”

As he sets his sights on Pinehurst No. 2, Morikawa remains focused on his strengths and is ready to leverage his steady game to achieve success in the upcoming major.