Connect with us

Sports

Morikawa recaptures mojo at Zozo Championship

Published

2 months ago

on



INZAI:

Collin Morikawa said he had refound “the golf I miss playing” after ending a two-year title drought with a resounding victory at the US PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship in Japan on Sunday.

The twice major champion finished six strokes clear at Narashino Country Club after rattling off seven birdies to card a bogey-free 63 and finish on 14-under overall.

Advertisement

It gave the 26-year-old his sixth win on the US PGA Tour and his first title since the 2021 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Morikawa said it “meant the world” to lift the trophy.

“Having this two-year drought, just struggling at times, not really contending, to do what I did through this entire week – that’s the golf I miss playing,” said Morikawa, whose last US PGA Tour win was at the 2021 British Open.

“To see that again, it’s very exciting to close out this year and to head into next year.”

Morikawa was playing his first tournament since being part of the American team that failed to retain the Ryder Cup in Rome.

Advertisement

He led after the first round of the 78-man, no-cut event on the outskirts of Tokyo but faded before roaring back into contention in the third round with five birdies on the last six holes.

He picked up where he left off on the final day, hitting four birdies on the front nine to surge into the lead.

He closed out the win with one last birdie to set a new record for the tournament’s largest margin of victory.

Morikawa said he had no doubts that his title drought would end and it was “more about when it was going to happen”.

“The thoughts in your head start piling up like, what did I do differently, what do I need to change?” he said.

Advertisement

“I just needed to take two steps back and really understand the foundation of what made me so solid of a player.”

Eric Cole and Beau Hossler finished in a tie for second on 8-under.

Justin Suh went into the final day with a one-stroke lead but faded badly, carding a final-round 74 to finish on 5-under.

Morikawa, who has Japanese heritage, enjoyed the support of the home fans and said he was “able to connect with the people out here”.

“When you’re able to touch on that aspect a little more, sometimes it pulls a little bit more out of you,” he said.

Advertisement

“When you’re able to represent the United States at the Ryder Cup or the Olympics, it just drives you that much more.”

Xander Schauffele, who was also playing his first competition since the Ryder Cup, finished on 2-over.

The Tokyo Olympics champion was only three strokes off the lead after two rounds but plummeted down the leaderboard the following day and carded a final-round 71.

Defending champion Keegan Bradley finished on 1-under, while 2021 winner Hideki Matsuyama was 5-over.

The $8.5 million Zozo Championship was established in 2019 as the first US PGA Tour tournament in Japan.

Advertisement

Thousands of Japanese fans turned up to watch Tiger Woods win the inaugural title for his 82nd US PGA Tour victory – equalling Sam Snead’s 54-year-old record.



Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Shadab Khan provides an update on his injury

Published

32 mins ago

on

December 9, 2023

By


Pakistan all-rounder, Shadab Khan suffered an unexpected injury during National T20 Cup match between Rawalpindi and Sialkot in Karachi on Sunday.

The incident took place as Shadab was fielding during the match, having bowled two economical overs. The unfortunate mishap occurred when the ball unexpectedly rose above his foot, resulting in a sudden and painful ankle twist. 

The video footage of Shadab being carried off the field piggyback style by a teammate went viral on social media, raising concerns about the severity of the injury.

Advertisement

 

نیشنل T20 کرکٹر شادب خان انجری کا شکار شاداب کو کندھوں پر اٹھاکر ڈرینسنگ روم منتقل کیا گیا راولپنڈی کی کپتان سیالکوٹ کے خلاف میچ کھیلتے ہوئے پائوں کی انجری کا شکار ہوئے @76Shadabkhan @TheRealPCB #shadabkhan #IslamabadUnited pic.twitter.com/mEnGqmayi2

— KHIZAR AZAM (@KHIZARAZAM) December 3, 2023

In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Shadab recounted the incident and explained the severity of the pain that left him incapacitated for a few minutes, making it difficult for him to comprehend the extent of the injury and eventually he had to seek assistance.

“When the ball came above my foot, I had an ankle twist. When the ankle twisted, I couldn’t even comprehend it for 2-3 minutes because the pain was severe. Then I tried to walk to the sidelines. The boundary on the side was a bit short, so I walked out there, but after that, I didn’t have the courage to continue walking. Then there was a guy there, so I thought of somehow making it to the dressing room,” Shadab said.

Fortunately, Shadab provided a glimmer of optimism when discussing his current status of his fitness.

Advertisement

“Now the fitness is improving. The injury is not too major. The report has come, but the doctors haven’t told me how much time it will take. As soon as they tell, the rehab will start according to their instructions.” he further added.

Shadab highlighted the proactive approach being taken to ensure effective rehabilitation process ahead of Pakistan’s T20I series against New Zealand in January.

“The injury doesn’t seem too prolonged. The physios will assess it and plan accordingly for the New Zealand series.” he concluded.