MEMPHIS – Collin Morikawa made a promise Thursday as the FedEx St. Jude Championship began at TPC Southwind, Memphis. His paternal grandmothers are from Hawaii.
Morikawa is a two-time major champion. He announced on his Instagram that he would donate $1,000 per birdie he made in the tournament in support of the rescue efforts for Maui, as wildfires are ravaging the island.
Residents and tourists alike are forced to flee as deadly fires rage through the western part of the island. At least 36 people were confirmed dead by officials on Thursday morning. A large part of the island was also without electricity.
In an Instagram post, Morikawa said: “Maui is a place that has always been special to me. My grandfather owned a Morikawa Restaurant on Front Street in Lahaina.” Wildfires are decimating Lahaina, Maui and other areas on the Big Island. It’s not over yet. Homes have been destroyed and families displaced.
The organization that will receive the donation is still unknown.
Morikawa’s scorecard included six birdies. He finished tied for third. He lost a playoff at the Rocket Mortgage Classic early in July. His last top-five finish before that was the Farmers Insurance Open, in January.
