PGA Championship: Collin Morikawa ready to win after Masters mistakes

After a disappointing Sunday at Augusta National this year, Collin Morikawa opened up about how “greed” cost him a chance at a green jacket.

Mistakes down the stretch sealed his fate, particularly on the 9th and 11th holes, where he became too aggressive in his approach play.

But Morikawa, after shooting a 4-under 67 at the PGA Championship on Saturday, shares the 54-hole lead with Xander Schauffele. He also believes he has learned lessons from his previous missteps.

“I’ve learned a lot in the last month, in the last two years, in the last five years as a pro,” Morikawa said.

Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America via Getty Images

“I think everything I’ve been through in the last two years, I’m ready for these moments. A month ago (at Augusta), I felt ready. I made a few mistakes. Tomorrow, hopefully, we won’t.

After bursting onto the scene at TPC Harding Park in 2020, when he won his first Wanamaker Trophy, Morikawa added the Claret Jug to his CV the following year. It seemed like other majors would undoubtedly follow, but that’s not the case.

Instead, he had numerous failures, including at this year’s Masters. He also has three other top-10 finishes at major tournaments since his triumph at the 2021 Open Championship.

“I just have to focus on myself,” Morikawa added.

“Look, I’ve played against all these guys. It’s not like any of these guys are new. They all have their distinctions within themselves, and really anyone can fall low.

Valhalla produced record low-scoring conditions, as Schauffele and Shane Lowry each carded 9-under 62 this week. Fifteen players are sitting at 10 under or better through 54 holes, a major championship record, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Six players also sit two shots off the lead, which, funnily enough, hasn’t happened since the 2020 PGA Championship.

Despite this, Morikawa intends to stick to his game plan, which has worked well so far.

“I’ll take one photo at a time,” Morikawa said.

Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America via Getty Images

“If I need to push, it will be in the last two or three holes if I need to. I (have to) stick to the game plan I’ve been working on; It functioned. This puts me in a tie for the lead today after three rounds. So I have work to do tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Nothing compares to the pressure felt on a Sunday afternoon during a major championship. Players will make bad shots, but it depends on how they rebound. He who mitigates his mistakes while taking advantage of his opportunities usually emerges victorious.

Morikawa knows that, but he let his mind get the better of him at Augusta National.

“I think looking back at Augusta, I felt sharp about everything, but I feel like I could have had a little bit of inward reflection before I went out on that first tee and really not gotten ahead of myself on myself,” Morikawa said.

“If I hit a bad shot, I don’t try something new on the next shot because I hit a bad shot. It’s just a bad swing, bad effort, move on to the next one and try to execute the next one.

Hopefully, for Morikawa’s sake, he arrives in Valhalla mentally sharp after giving himself a quick 60-second pep talk. But ultimately, the old golf adage remains the same: the most important shot is the next one.

Jack Milko is golf editor for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko Also.