Collin Morikawa doesn’t like to plan too far in advance, but he admits that if he wins the Zozo Championship, a competition held in Japan where his father grew up, it will hold a special spot in his heart.
He said: “This tournament has a lot more meaning for me. But a victory is a victory, and I’ll take it anywhere.” “I will do everything I can in the next few days, and tonight in particular, to give myself the best chance to achieve that.”
He is off to a great start. On Thursday, he posted a bogey free 6-under 64 at Accordia Narashino County Club in Chiba Prefecture. Morikawa started on the back-nine and raced to three birds in his first four hole. He added birdies to Nos. He added birdies at Nos. He made a par putt of 8 feet uphill at his final hole to take a one stroke lead over the other five golfers.
Morikawa, who is 26 years old, has already won five PGA Tour events, including two majors. He hasn’t won since the British Open in 2021 and is eager to win again. In January, he lost a six stroke lead after 54 holes at the Sentry Championship. He also nearly won the Rocket Mortgage Classic last July but lost in a play-off to Rickie. He has 14 top-10 finishes in the last two years, which is tied with Tommy Fleetwood as the most without a victory. Morikawa makes his first appearance in the FedEx Cup Fall, and competes for the first since the Ryder Cup.
Morikawa explained that he spent much time yesterday putting. It’s nice to see all the hard work that I’ve done, and recreate it on the golf course.
Four more things you need to know about the first round of Zozo Championship.
