Collin Morikawa doesn’t like to plan too far in advance, but he admits that winning the Zozo Championship, in Japan, where his father’s family lived, will hold a special spot in his heart.
He said: “A win is a victory, and I will take it anywhere.” “I will do everything I can in the next few days, and tonight if I have to.”
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 titles, including two majors. He’s been winless since 2021 British Open, and is eager to return to the winners’ circle. He lost a six stroke lead after 54 holes at the Sentry Championship and almost won The Rocket Mortgage Classic, but Rickie fowler beat him in a playoff. Morikawa makes his first appearance in the FedEx Cup Fall, and is competing for the very first time since he played at the Ryder Cup.
“Taking a couple of weeks off is always a gamble, but I have been working on some things to improve my control of the ball and spent a lot time putting,” Morikawa explained. 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.
