Profitable the Zozo Championship in Japan was particular for American Collin Morikawa, whose nice grandparents emigrated from the nation.
However extra essential was a victory — wherever — after a 27-month winless streak on the PGA Tour as individuals started to ask questions on his recreation.
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He broke by Sunday with a 7-under par 63 for a six-shot victory to win the Zozo on the Narashino Nation Membership simply exterior Tokyo.
“It feels so good, I can’t even clarify it,” Morikawa mentioned. “I knew I used to be going to get right here sooner or later. It’s like getting your first win, your first main.”
He mentioned he realized that folks had been asking questions why he had not gained. He mentioned the victory was additional particular since his spouse Katherine Zhu was within the gallery and kissed him when he got here off 18.
“I needed to actually look again and ask myself what’s unsuitable,” he mentioned. “What’s the reasoning behind ending second — that versus a win. This win means the world. Being in Japan and being half Japanese. Loads has come by over the previous week.”
Individuals Beau Hossler and Eric Cole had been in second, six again with closing-round 70s.
Morikawa began two photographs behind 54-hole chief Justin Suh, who pale badly searching for his first PGA Tour win. He completed with a 74.
Morikawa had 4 birdies on the entrance 9, persistently hit fairways, which he didn’t within the second and third spherical, and stored pulling away with three extra on the again 9, together with one from 10 ft on the 18th.
Morikawa has been considered one of golf’s most-watched gamers — one of many recreation’s greatest iron gamers — so although he’s had a number of possibilities to win not too long ago, not getting it achieved has drawn some consideration.
Collin Morikawa of america poses with the trophy after successful the PGA Tour Zozo Championship on the Narashino Nation Membership in Inzai on the outskirts of Tokyo, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. (AP Picture/Tomohiro Ohsumi)
| Picture Credit score:
Tomohiro Ohsumi
Collin Morikawa of america poses with the trophy after successful the PGA Tour Zozo Championship on the Narashino Nation Membership in Inzai on the outskirts of Tokyo, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. (AP Picture/Tomohiro Ohsumi)
| Picture Credit score:
Tomohiro Ohsumi
His final PGA Tour title was the 2021 British Open — he additionally gained the 2020 PGA Championship — and adopted it a number of months later by changing into the primary American to complete because the European Tour’s No. 1 participant, taking the DP World Tour Championship.
The one disappointment in 2021 was dropping out in a playoff for a bronze medal on the Tokyo Olympics.
Fellow American Justin Suh had a one-stroke lead after 54 holes, seeking to declare his first PGA Tour win. A former faculty star like Morikawa, Suh slumpled on the ultimate 18 and shot 74.
Morikawa is aware of the sensation of collapsing.
In January, he had a six-stroke lead after 54 holes of the Sentry Event of Champions, however wound up ending second after a string of bogeys over the past a number of holes.
Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele had been enjoying their first occasion after enjoying on the dropping facet of the Ryder Cup three weeks in the past in Italy.