SANDWICH, England – Tiger’s killer irons and instinct. Phil’s courage, smile and warmth. Fellow Californian Collin Morikawa invoked thoughts of the two most successful Golden State-bred golfers who came before him as he became the first player to win two different majors in his debut at The 149th Open. RELATED: Final scores | What’s in Morikawa’s bag | Why Morikawa changed irons One is reluctant to tie the 24-year-old’s achievements to these legends, such is their enormity, but it is impossible not to watch the now five-time PGA TOUR winner and be amazed. False dawns for new prodigies have come and gone but in Morikawa we seem blessed with a stayer. “He’s a special kid. I’m lucky to have him. He seems like he has been there 100 times and he hasn’t,” caddie Jonathan Jakovac says. “It just goes to his mental strength and his maturity, and you add the freakish ball-striking to an absolute stone-cold demeanor who is very comfortable in all situations … and you get someone special.” Let’s just take it all in, shall we? With his win at Royal St. George’s, Morikawa is the first player in the history of the game to win two different majors on their first attempt. His name stands alone. No Woods, Mickelson, Nicklaus, Hogan, Player or Palmer. Granted a pandemic of epic proportions made the achievement more accessible but it still should not be discounted. And it is just the first of a myriad of accolades. • It is a second major win in just eight major starts. • He joined Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth as the only players in the last 100 years with multiple major wins before age 25. • He joined Woods as the only players to win The Open and PGA Championship before age 25. • He became the seventh player since 1900 to win The Open on debut and first since Ben Curtis in 2003, also at Royal St. George’s. Jock Hutchison (1921), Denny Shute (1933), Ben Hogan (1953), Tony Lema (1964) and Tom Watson (1975) are the others. • He became the sixth winner of The Open to record four rounds in the 60s joining Greg Norman (1993), Nick Price (1994), Woods (2000), Henrik Stenson (2016) and Spieth (2017). • He joined Jones and Nicklaus as the only players to win multiple majors before age 25 when trailing entering the final round. • Become the third player to win multiple majors with final rounds of 66 or better joining Nicklaus and Johnny Miller. • His 265 total was one stroke shy of 72-hole tournament scoring record. Credit where credit is due. Furthermore Morikawa finished Sunday with a bogey-free 4-under 66 to best Spieth by two. It was just his second event playing links style golf after last week’s Scottish Open on the European Tour. And he had the courage to change three of his scoring irons AND change his putting grip from saw-style to conventional for longer putts pre-tournament. That is Mickelson-esque. The enormity of history wasn’t even a featherweight on his back as he coupled a Claret Jug with his 2020 acquisition of the Wanamaker Trophy at the PGA Championship. The Cal graduate won at Harding Park with no spectators and even though he burst out of a seven-way tie with a chip-in on the 14th followed by an incredible eagle on the drivable par-4 16th, the doubters said he wouldn’t have done so amidst a raucous gallery. But a vociferous 32,000 fans were at Royal St. George’s and they had earlier shown a distinct favoritism to fellow contenders Louis Oosthuizen and Spieth. They quickly warmed to Morikawa. He earned it. “He seems to perform better in big spots,” Jakovac says. “I think (the no crowd at the PGA) was a little overblown. You know the stakes of the PGA. You look at the leaderboard and we are tied with seven people for first in a major championship. There are no people there but we are in that moment knowing what is up for grabs. There’s no added pressure when there are fans … especially when you have the focus that kid has.” Tiger-esque focus. “I’m glad I look calm because the nerves are definitely up there. But you channel these nerves into excitement and energy, and that puts you away from a fear factor into this is something I want,” Morikawa said. And Tiger-like ball-striking. Morikawa ranked fifth in the field for greens in regulation, hitting 75%. Pre-tournament, he was gaining 1.5 strokes on average a round in Strokes Gained: Approach, leading the TOUR in the statistic by a healthy margin. “His dispersion is just better. He hits his 6-iron as close as others out here hit their 9-irons,” Jakovac explains. But he was up against Oosthuizen, who held the lead after the first three rounds, and leads the TOUR in Strokes Gained: Putting. Morikawa? He entered the week ranked 172nd on TOUR in putting. Yet he led the Open Championship with just 111 putts and didn’t have a three-putt all week. “Definitely one of the best putting performances of my life, especially inside 10 feet. I felt like it was as solid as it’s going to get. I don’t think I really missed many from that distance,” he said. “Everything about my stats say I’m not a good putter. I feel like I can get a lot better. But in these situations, I feel like everything is thrown off the table. Forget about all your stats, it’s who can perform well in these situations. “I’m going to try to figure out what worked today and use that for the future because I know I can putt well in these pressure situations. I’ve just got to keep doing that.” The intellect both on and off course is palpable. So too is his sincerity in his praise of others within his circle. He even had the crowd sing Happy Birthday to Jakovac as part of his victory speech. “I just enjoy these moments,” Morikawa said as the secret to success. “I talk about it so much that we love what we do and you have to embrace it. You have to be excited about these opportunities, and that’s how I looked at it today, especially coming down the stretch. “At 24 years old, it’s so hard to look back at the two short years that I have been a pro and see what I’ve done because I want more. I enjoy these moments and I love it, and I want to teach myself to embrace it a little more… but I just want more. “When you’re in these moments and you truly love what you do, which I love playing golf and competing against these guys, these are the best moments ever.” We should all enjoy his success because if the trend continues, we won’t need to compare him to others – his name will well and truly continue to stand out on its own.
Tired of betting on your favorite sports? Check out some casino game at SlotoCash! Here's a list of SlotoCash casino bonus codes that will get you started with some nice bonuses. |
3rd Round 3 Balls - S. Kaewkanjana / C. Young / A. Ancer | |
Type: 3rd Round 3 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Cameron Young | +105 |
Abraham Ancer | +175 |
Sadom Kaewkanjana | +320 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - A. Meronk v D. Law | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Adrian Meronk | -150 |
David Law | +125 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - T. Pendrith v D. Redman | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Pendrith | -185 |
Doc Redman | +150 |
3rd Round Match-Up - B. Hossler vs K. Streelman | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Beau Hossler | -150 |
Kevin Streelman | +125 |
3rd Round Match-Up - T. Pendrith vs T. Detry | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Pendrith | -110 |
Thomas Detry | -110 |
3rd Round Six Shooter - A - A. Smalley / D. Burmester / J. Bramlett / M. McNealy / T. Pendrith / T. Detry | |
Type: 3rd Round Six Shooter - Status: OPEN | |
Alex Smalley | +400 |
Thomas Detry | +400 |
Joseph Bramlett | +425 |
Maverick McNealy | +425 |
Dean Burmester | +450 |
Taylor Pendrith | +450 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - W. Simpson v K. Streelman | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Webb Simpson | -125 |
Kevin Streelman | +105 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - T. Mullinax v W. Gordon | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Trey Mullinax | -110 |
Will Gordon | -110 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - R. Knox v J. Dufner | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Russell Knox | -240 |
Jason Dufner | +195 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - C. Hadley v Z. Blair | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Chesson Hadley | -125 |
Zac Blair | +105 |
3rd Round Match-Up - G. Sigg vs R. Knox | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Greyson Sigg | -110 |
Russell Knox | -110 |
3rd Round Six Shooter - B - G. Sigg / J. Rose / R. Knox / S. Stallings / T. Moore / T. Hoge | |
Type: 3rd Round Six Shooter - Status: OPEN | |
Justin Rose | +375 |
Tom Hoge | +375 |
Scott Stallings | +425 |
Greyson Sigg | +450 |
Taylor Moore | +450 |
Russell Knox | +475 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - T. Moore v J. Walker | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Moore | -200 |
Jimmy Walker | +165 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - A. Putnam v A. Long | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Andrew Putnam | -165 |
Adam Long | +135 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - S. Power v T. Detry | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Seamus Power | -140 |
Thomas Detry | +115 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - J. Dahmen v K. Kisner | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Joel Dahmen | -140 |
Kevin Kisner | +115 |
3rd Round Match-Up - A. Putnam vs K. Kitayama | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Andrew Putnam | -110 |
Kurt Kitayama | -110 |
3rd Round Match-Up - M. Fitzpatrick vs S. Power | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Matt Fitzpatrick | -120 |
Seamus Power | +100 |
3rd Round Match-Up - S. Stallings vs T. Moore | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Scott Stallings | -120 |
Taylor Moore | +100 |
3rd Round Six Shooter - C - J. Spieth / K. Mitchell / M. Fitzpatrick / M. Kuchar / S. Power / V. Hovland | |
Type: 3rd Round Six Shooter - Status: OPEN | |
Jordan Spieth | +350 |
Viktor Hovland | +375 |
Seamus Power | +425 |
Keith Mitchell | +450 |
Matt Fitzpatrick | +450 |
Matt Kuchar | +550 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - G. Sigg v M. NeSmith | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Greyson Sigg | -110 |
Matthew NeSmith | -110 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - J. Bramlett v D. Lingmerth | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Joseph Bramlett | -200 |
David Lingmerth | +165 |
3rd Round Match-Up - A. Smalley vs J. Bramlett | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Alex Smalley | -120 |
Joseph Bramlett | +100 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - A. Smalley v M. Hubbard | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Alex Smalley | -140 |
Mark Hubbard | +115 |
3rd Round Match-Up - J. Rose vs T. Hoge | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Justin Rose | -110 |
Tom Hoge | -110 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - L. Griffin v G. Higgo | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Lanto Griffin | -125 |
Garrick Higgo | +105 |
3rd Round Match-Up - K. Mitchell vs M. McNealy | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Keith Mitchell | -120 |
Maverick McNealy | +100 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - K. Mitchell v K. Chappell | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Keith Mitchell | -300 |
Kevin Chappell | +240 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - K. Kitayama v D. Ghim | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Kurt Kitayama | -185 |
Doug Ghim | +150 |
3rd Round Match-Up - B.H. An vs B. Taylor | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Byeong Hun An | -120 |
Ben Taylor | +100 |
3rd Round Match-Up - D. Riley vs K. Yu | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Davis Riley | -110 |
Kevin Yu | -110 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - D. McCarthy v R. Werenski | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Denny McCarthy | -220 |
Richy Werenski | +180 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - J. Rose v C. Ramey | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Justin Rose | -220 |
Chad Ramey | +180 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - J. Spieth v R. Palmer | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Jordan Spieth | -250 |
Ryan Palmer | +200 |
3rd Round Match-Up - V. Hovland vs J. Spieth | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Viktor Hovland | -115 |
Jordan Spieth | -105 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - V. Hovland v D. Willett | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Viktor Hovland | -240 |
Danny Willett | +195 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - B. Stuard v B. Garnett | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Brian Stuard | -110 |
Brice Garnett | -110 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - M. Fitzpatrick v M. Kuchar | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Matt Fitzpatrick | -175 |
Matt Kuchar | +140 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - B. Griffin v R. Shelton | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Ben Griffin | -110 |
Robby Shelton | -110 |
3rd Round 2 Balls - B. Taylor v H. Hall | |
Type: 3rd Round 2 Balls - Status: OPEN | |
Ben Taylor | -115 |
Harry Hall | -105 |
3rd Round Match-Up - D. Burmester vs B. Todd | |
Type: 3rd Round Match-Up - Status: OPEN | |
Dean Burmester | -120 |
Brendon Todd | +100 |
THE PLAYERS Championship 2023 | |
Type: Outright - Status: OPEN | |
Jon Rahm | +800 |
Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
Justin Thomas | +1200 |
Scottie Scheffler | +1200 |
Collin Morikawa | +1400 |
Patrick Cantlay | +1800 |
Matt Fitzpatrick | +2000 |
Viktor Hovland | +2000 |
Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
Max Homa | +2500 |
Click here for more... | |
Majors 2023 Requested Specials | |
Type: Requested Specials - Status: OPEN | |
Jon Rahm Top 20 Inc Ties - All 4 Majors | +500 |
Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas & Scottie Scheffler - All Make Cut - All 4 Majors | +750 |
Both Rory McIlroy & Jon Rahm - Win a Major | +1200 |
Both Justin Thomas & Scottie Scheffler - Win a Major | +2000 |
Both Rory McIlroy & Tony Finau - Win a Major | +2000 |
Both Rory McIlroy & Jon Rahm Top 20 Inc Ties - All 4 Majors | +2200 |
Both Cameron Smith & Will Zalatoris - Win a Major | +2800 |
Both Justin Thomas & Scottie Scheffler Top 20 Inc Ties - All 4 Majors | +2800 |
Both Tony Finau & Will Zalatoris - Win a Major | +2800 |
Both Tom Kim & Viktor Hovland - Win a Major | +5000 |
Click here for more... | |
To Win A Major 2023 | |
Type: Win A Major - Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy | +225 |
Jon Rahm | +250 |
Cameron Smith | +350 |
Collin Morikawa | +350 |
Justin Thomas | +350 |
Scottie Scheffler | +350 |
Tony Finau | +400 |
Dustin Johnson | +450 |
Will Zalatoris | +450 |
Cameron Young | +500 |
Click here for more... | |
To Win 2+ Majors 2023 | |
Type: Win 2+ Majors - Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy | +1800 |
Jon Rahm | +2000 |
Cameron Smith | +2500 |
Justin Thomas | +2500 |
Scottie Scheffler | +2500 |
Collin Morikawa | +2800 |
Dustin Johnson | +4000 |
Tony Finau | +4000 |
Will Zalatoris | +4000 |
Jordan Spieth | +5000 |
Click here for more... | |
To Win 3+ Majors 2023 | |
Type: Win 3+ Majors - Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy | +6600 |
Jon Rahm | +8000 |
Cameron Smith | +15000 |
Collin Morikawa | +15000 |
Justin Thomas | +15000 |
Scottie Scheffler | +15000 |
Will Zalatoris | +20000 |
Dustin Johnson | +25000 |
Tony Finau | +25000 |
Cameron Young | +30000 |
Click here for more... | |
To Win 4 Majors 2023 | |
Type: Win 4 Majors - Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy | +25000 |
Jon Rahm | +35000 |
Cameron Smith | +50000 |
Justin Thomas | +50000 |
Scottie Scheffler | +50000 |
Collin Morikawa | +75000 |
Will Zalatoris | +75000 |
Dustin Johnson | +150000 |
Jordan Spieth | +150000 |
Matt Fitzpatrick | +150000 |
Click here for more... | |
Top 20 Finish All 4 Majors 2023 | |
Type: Top 20 All 4 Majors - Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy | +500 |
Jon Rahm | +600 |
Justin Thomas | +700 |
Scottie Scheffler | +700 |
Cameron Smith | +800 |
Will Zalatoris | +800 |
Collin Morikawa | +900 |
Jordan Spieth | +1000 |
Matt Fitzpatrick | +1000 |
Patrick Cantlay | +1000 |
Click here for more... | |
All To Win A Major 2023 | |
Type: All Win A Major - Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy / Jon Rahm / Cameron Smith | +6000 |
Rory McIlroy / Jon Rahm / Justin Thomas | +6000 |
Rory McIlroy / Jon Rahm / Scottie Scheffler | +6000 |
Rory McIlroy / Collin Morikawa / Jon Rahm | +6600 |
Rory McIlroy / Jon Rahm / Tony Finau | +7000 |
Rory McIlroy / Cameron Smith / Justin Thomas | +7500 |
Rory McIlroy / Cameron Smith / Scottie Scheffler | +7500 |
Rory McIlroy / Cameron Young / Jon Rahm | +7500 |
Rory McIlroy / Jon Rahm / Will Zalatoris | +7500 |
Rory McIlroy / Justin Thomas / Scottie Scheffler | +7500 |
Click here for more... | |
To Make Cut in All 4 Majors 2023 | |
Type: Make Cut All 4 Majors - Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy | -150 |
Jon Rahm | -135 |
Justin Thomas | -125 |
Scottie Scheffler | -120 |
Cameron Smith | -110 |
Will Zalatoris | +110 |
Jordan Spieth | +120 |
Matt Fitzpatrick | +120 |
Xander Schauffele | +120 |
Collin Morikawa | +125 |
Click here for more... | |
The Masters 2023 | |
Type: Outright - Status: OPEN | |
Jon Rahm | +900 |
Rory McIlroy | +900 |
Justin Thomas | +1200 |
Cameron Smith | +1400 |
Jordan Spieth | +1400 |
Scottie Scheffler | +1400 |
Collin Morikawa | +1600 |
Dustin Johnson | +2000 |
Will Zalatoris | +2000 |
Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
Click here for more... | |
US PGA Championship 2023 | |
Type: Outright - Status: OPEN | |
Jon Rahm | +1000 |
Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
Collin Morikawa | +1400 |
Justin Thomas | +1400 |
Scottie Scheffler | +1400 |
Cameron Smith | +1600 |
Jordan Spieth | +1600 |
Dustin Johnson | +2000 |
Patrick Cantlay | +2200 |
Brooks Koepka | +2500 |
Click here for more... | |
US Open 2023 | |
Type: Outright - Status: OPEN | |
Jon Rahm | +1000 |
Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
Justin Thomas | +1100 |
Scottie Scheffler | +1100 |
Collin Morikawa | +1400 |
Cameron Smith | +1600 |
Patrick Cantlay | +1800 |
Jordan Spieth | +2000 |
Matthew Fitzpatrick | +2000 |
Will Zalatoris | +2000 |
Click here for more... | |
The Open Championship 2023 | |
Type: Outright - Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy | +900 |
Jon Rahm | +1000 |
Scottie Scheffler | +1400 |
Collin Morikawa | +1600 |
Jordan Spieth | +1600 |
Justin Thomas | +1600 |
Cameron Smith | +1800 |
Matthew Fitzpatrick | +2000 |
Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
Dustin Johnson | +2500 |
Click here for more... | |
Ryder Cup 2023 | |
Type: Outright - Status: OPEN | |
USA | -185 |
Europe | +200 |
Tie | +1200 |