Collin Morikawa's triumphant return to the winner's circle at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am wasn't just a victory; it was a testament to resilience, a nail-biting finish, and a deeply personal announcement that added an extra layer of joy to his hard-fought win! After a challenging 28-month drought without a victory, Morikawa reminded everyone why he's a two-time major champion, but the path to his seventh PGA TOUR title was anything but smooth.
Imagine standing on the 18th tee, a crucial par-5, with the biting Pacific wind chilling you to the bone. Now, add a 20-minute delay as your playing partner, Jacob Bridgeman, navigates a tricky shot from a beach, eventually finding the ocean. That was Morikawa's reality. He confessed to pacing the shoreline, trying desperately to distract himself from the immense pressure of the moment. "I tried to think about anything else other than golf," he shared, finding solace in the stunning coastal scenery. "For me, it was how do I stay loose, how do I stay warm and not just think about the shot."
But when it mattered most, Morikawa delivered. He strung together back-to-back birdies to seize the lead, and then, with a spectacular 4-iron from 235 yards that had to be intentionally played over the ocean wall to let the wind bring it back, he secured his final birdie. A calm two-putt from the collar sealed his one-shot victory over strong contenders Sepp Straka and Min Woo Lee, with a final score of 5-under 67 and a tournament total of 22-under 266.
"Great field, great leaderboard — looking at it the entire day," Morikawa remarked, clearly exhilarated by his performance. "And just to be able to pull of those last two shots, it feels great." This win, his first since the Baycurrent Classic in Japan in October 2023, marks the end of a 45-start winless streak.
And this is the part most people miss: amidst the jubilation of victory, Morikawa revealed he and his wife are expecting their first child! "There’s so much to life, there’s so much to enjoy," he said, his joy radiating beyond the golf course.
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler made an incredible charge. Starting the final day eight shots back, he was on fire, carding three eagles in a phenomenal round of 63. His final hole eagle, a precise 6-iron to just 30 inches, even tied him with Morikawa momentarily. "I was very aware of Scottie Scheffler’s score today. I mean, what a player," Morikawa acknowledged. Scheffler, however, couldn't quite close the gap, a testament to Morikawa's steely resolve.
But here's where it gets controversial: Morikawa's late-round brilliance, including a crucial 30-foot birdie putt on the 15th and another birdie on the 16th, was almost undone by a bogey on the 17th. This, coupled with Lee's birdie-birdie finish, created a dramatic tie. Is it fair for a player to have such a significant waiting period on the final hole, potentially disrupting their rhythm, while others are playing? Or is it a true test of mental fortitude?
Even Akshay Bhatia, the 54-hole leader, couldn't maintain his position, ultimately finishing three shots back after a challenging final round. Scheffler, who had been 10 shots behind after day one and even 13 shots back on Friday, continued his remarkable streak of 18 consecutive PGA TOUR starts in the top 10, finishing tied for fourth. "I had to do something special to give myself a chance," Scheffler stated, reflecting on his aggressive play.
Morikawa's path to victory was paved with a strong 62 on Saturday, bringing him within striking distance. The Cal alum, who turned pro just before the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, now moves to No. 5 in the world with this significant win at a historic venue.
What are your thoughts on Morikawa's incredible finish and the challenges of playing under such immense pressure? Do you think the extended wait on the 18th hole was a fair test, or did it unfairly impact the game? Share your opinions below!
