Knowing how to close deal a major advantage, says Morikawa

By Reuters
April 15, 2024
Collin Morikawa of the US putts for a birdie on the 15th green during the final round of the Zozo Championships PGA golf tournament at the Narashino Country Club in Inzai, Chiba prefecture on October 22, 2023. — AFP
Collin Morikawa of the US putts for a birdie on the 15th green during the final round of the Zozo Championships PGA golf tournament at the Narashino Country Club in Inzai, Chiba prefecture on October 22, 2023. — AFP

AUGUSTA, Georgia: Collin Morikawa is hoping some major experience will make the difference going into the Masters final round on Sunday, as he chases a third Grand Slam trophy in five years.

On an eclectic leaderboard - which includes an Olympic champion, the world number one, a Masters debutant and a major championship newcomer - Morikawa stands out for his experience at knowing how to close the deal.

Top ranked Scottie Scheffler, LIV Golf headliners Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith all have major wins on their resumes, but Morikawa is the only one with two - the 2021 British Open and 2020 PGA Championship. He believes that could be a difference maker on Sunday.

A win would also give Morikawa the third leg of the career Grand Slam, needing only a U.S. Open to complete the collection of golf’s four majors.

“I know where my head is at. I know what I need to focus on, and I know what needs to be done if I want to close it off tomorrow,” said Morikawa, who has six career PGA Tour wins. “As a person and as a golfer, you don’t know how you’re going to react in those situations.

“Thankfully I’ve already been able to win two, so I can kind of go back on those experiences and just take that experience into tomorrow.