When the pros teed it up at historic Harding Park this past Thursday to start the 2020 PGA Championship it had been over a year since we witnessed major championship golf. With the Covid 
-19 pandemic ravaging the sports world I can barely remember Shane Lowry earning the title Champion Golfer of the Year.
It was worth the wait. Yesterday’s finish at the 102nd PGA Championship was as exciting a major as all of us could have wished for.
Collin Morikawa finished as the last an standing in golf’s version of a Royal Rumble. His drive on the driveable par four sixteenth that set him up for a championship winning eagle will go down as one of golf’s greatest shots.
He carved out a six under 64 on a tough, championship course while forcing his way through a crowded leaderboard stacked with major champions, veteran pros and youthful contenders.
Nine different golfers had at least a share of the lead before Morikawa’s historic eagle and it was as riveting a day of golf as major hungry fans could ever ask for.
Veteran and 54 hole leader Dustin Johnson was trying for his second major. Paul Casey at 43 was searching for his first major and was so close. Jason Day was looking to ride his hot putter for his second PGA title. Bryson DeChambeau was looking to put his newfound bulk to use in lifting the massive Wannamaker Cup. Tony Finau was in the mix as he long-balled his way around Harding Park out driving Bryson regularly. Matthew Wolff with his “Furyk-like swing” and genuflecting knee action was challenging his old college opponent. Scottie Scheffler was another youngster vying for his first major. Cameron Champ and Xander Schauffle were two more baby-faces trying to capture their first. Justin Rose even threatened for awhile.
Trash talking Brooks Koepka who was looking for his third straight PGA title was nowhere to be found and struggled with a 74 and a T29 finish. Karma is a bitch sometimes.
In the end it was Morikawa’s straight driving, solid approaches and pure putting that set him apart. This kid was as cool as the Bay Area breeze when the stuff hit the fan. He finished two shots clear of Casey and Johnson and displayed the steely nerves of a man confident in his game and himself.
Morikawa is an easy man to root for and displayed the class and humility we admire in our champions. He’s only 23 and the third youngest to win the modern PGA behind Rory McIlroy and Jack Nicklaus, heady company for sure.
But this won’t go to Morikawa’s head. He seems to have a wonderful perspective on his place in golf. And right now it’s at the top of the game. In this convoluted season he’s the first major winner of the year and playing great as they start the FedEx Cup Playoffs before they head to the U.S. Open.
Collin Morikawa should be in the mix again and will be for a long time.
Related Articles
