Collin Morikawa on Masters’ close call, chasing Scottie Scheffler: ‘We’re on the right track’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Collin Morikawa stood on the ninth tee last month at Augusta National with the lead at the 2024 Masters. He was 10 holes away from missing the green jacket, which would have been marking the third other major championship he has won in 17 such appearances.

While some were surprised by Morikawa’s presence in the rankings – given his lackluster form at the start of the year – he was not. However, Morikawa did not win his first Masters, win the third of his career or defeat the monster Scottie Scheffler. But that doesn’t mean the first major championship of the year was a failure.

The two-time major champion reminded the golfing public in April that he may not need to put in the extra effort to get his name on the four-time-a-year shortlist.

Ahead of next week’s Wells Fargo Championship and PGA Championship, CBS Sports caught up with Morikawa to discuss the start of major championship season, the internal trade-offs between satisfaction and frustration, the coaching carousel His swing coach and what it takes to chase a championship. world number 1.

What are the 24 hours after the Masters like? Those instant emotions.

Collin Morikawa: “A bit disappointed, [a little] motivation. Obviously I was disappointed because I had two holes that put me at least in contention, and who knows how the round might have ended up going, but those two holes were really bad. It’s too bad because when I was in that position before in the pros, I couldn’t do that.

“I think over the last two years I’ve been trying to find my swing and find that swing again, find that stroke again. But I’m motivated because it’s also a good stepping stone for me to know that it’s — I know it’s still there. I know I can still win there easily. I just need to put the pieces together. Scottie clearly has all the pieces, so I have to start putting it all together if I want to compete more often.

With a player of your caliber, I’m always interested in the internal trade-off between the satisfaction of winning a major championship and the disappointment of being eliminated.

Morikawa: “It’s a balance — you have to really evaluate where your game is at. If I feel like I played as well as I could and that’s what I created, then I’ve got some problems But I feel like I gave up a lot on shots throughout the week. That’s great. I know you want to win with your B and C game, let’s call it want to know that, when your A game is on. We’re winning as well but we’re obviously on track to hopefully have a good four rounds over the next few months.”

You can already show up at majors without your best stuff — the 2022 US Open, this year’s Masters — and find something. What do you believe that in?

Morikawa: “Ultimately, playing in the majors is about feeling comfortable, knowing how to play and just understanding what they represent. Luckily, I was able to ace at least that first tournament because, all the best players don’t win anything, they get that question for years on end — well, I guess at least four times a year, and that’s not something you want to keep hearing.

“So for me, knowing that I’ve done that in the past and loving the period where the best players are coming through and what they mean and the history behind them, sometimes that That makes you focus a little more. You wish you had that every week, but sometimes just having that arrangement can get you there.”

You teamed up with Mark Blackburn as your swing coach there for a while, went solo and now back with Rick Sessinghaus. What have you learned about yourself during this time?

Morikawa: “I’ve learned a lot. Since turning professional, I’ve learned a lot about golf in general and the golf swing. I think for me, knowing what I’ve had in the past , which is good. I know I can use that swing and win with it. The problem is I feel like I’ve lost that swing, so I have to look for something new and looking for new things. I learned a lot with Mark, but I almost got to the point where I wanted to go back to the old and put the pieces back together — use the new and the old one — and just knowing that my golf swing is still there. Sometimes, I have to remember those little feelings that it’s okay to break.”

Why did you and Rick break up in the first place?

Morikawa: “I think we broke up because I was frustrated that everything we were trying wasn’t working, so I thought I had to go down a new path, and I worked a few events here and was there with Mark, and I learned so much. But then I realized that’s not the way I wanted it to be. All coaches coach very differently. They may know a lot and they may not know much, but that’s how they convey it. where it doesn’t work for me and I go back to the old one instead of looking for something new.

We’ve heard top players like Viktor Hovland talk about taking everything out of their game and leaving no stone unturned, and then someone like Xander Schauffele admits that he’s a little scared to make changes as it may be counterproductive and prove to be unprofitable. I’m wondering where you fall on this spectrum?

Morikawa: “I think I’ve done it all. I think, with Mark, I’m definitely looking for that — that Viktor route. I go back to where there’s a lot of knowledge there and I have to use it in a way. And that’s where Rick comes in to make sure we’re focusing on the right things and make sure that, come Thursday, I know what I’m trying to do a mechanical player will play well consistently, just thinking about their shots and correct placement. When I came out and turned pro, I didn’t have to think much, hit the shots and see that the difference was great. ignorance is bliss, and I’m just trying to get back to that state.”

It seems like everyone is chasing their own version of perfection, which could very well be Scottie Scheffler at the moment. You competed with him several times in the last month. How much pressure does his game put on opponents?

Morikawa: “That motivated me to figure this out quicker and get on with it. You can’t let your guard down around him – which you’ve never been able to do – but for someone who’s playing so well and is continuing to do that, you just know every shot is going where he wants it. That’s what I’m trying to get at — good shots are obviously good, but that’s how we handle it Those bad misses. For him, he doesn’t miss many shots, but when he does it’s in the right position, close enough and that’s what you do when you play. well and obviously he played quite well.

What must you do to chase him?

Morikawa: “I’ve got to hit my shots better. I’ve got to work on my cuts and I’ve missed it in the right spots. What he’s doing with his irons is obviously unbelievable , but I feel like I’ve reached a weak point.” my career so far where I’ve hit my irons like that and I’ve got to get back to doing that and I know it’s possible, and I know we’re pretty close.”