There are just a few locations around the globe the place you hope to win earlier than the tip of your profession and for me, Japan is a type of locations.
Successful the Zozo Championship final October meant the world to me. With my heritage being half Japanese and my final title being Morikawa, it is simply so particular.
Reaching success around the globe is rarely straightforward in our sport. We play a lot in the USA that when we now have these alternatives to play internationally and play in a rustic that I really like and have respect for, it’s totally important.
Picture:
Collin Morikawa returns as defending champion on the Zozo Championship, dwell on Sky Sports activities Golf
I can now verify that off my bucket record and say I’ve executed it, and hopefully I can proceed to repeat my success within the years to return. It was actually unimaginable to win in entrance of our Japanese followers.
Each win is totally different, and each expertise, whether or not it is successful or dropping, you be taught lots. I had not received a event for about two years previous to the Zozo, so to safe a six-shot victory was fairly thrilling.
The Zozo Championship is a type of tournaments that’s highlighted on my schedule yearly. It is amongst just a few, together with Tiger Woods’ occasion on the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles that I actually sit up for.
Picture:
Collin Morikawa dominated the 2023 contest to assert a six-shot victory
Being half Japanese and having the chance to attach with the individuals in Japan over time has meant lots. Japan is one in all my favorite nations in all the world and I really love being on the market.
I feel we at all times speak about rising the sport and making it world for the thousands and thousands of followers who actually take pleasure in and respect the sport. Once you’re in a position to symbolize Crew USA, whether or not it is on the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, or the Olympics, it drives you that rather more.
I knew initially of the week final yr that the followers had been clearly rooting for the Japanese gamers, however I like to think about myself as a component Japanese participant, so I felt the love from the followers.
This content material is offered by Twitter, which can be utilizing cookies and different applied sciences.
To point out you this content material, we’d like your permission to make use of cookies.
You should utilize the buttons under to amend your preferences to allow Twitter cookies or to permit these cookies simply as soon as.
You’ll be able to change your settings at any time through the Privateness Choices.
Sadly we now have been unable to confirm in case you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content material you need to use the button under to permit Twitter cookies for this session solely.
Allow Cookies
Permit Cookies As soon as
Morikawa’s lengthy look ahead to victory
Earlier than the win, I had not received for practically two years and determined to take just a few steps again to attempt to perceive the inspiration that made me such a strong participant, like again once I was taking part in so good from 2019- 2021.
Generally, it’s important to perceive from a really fundamental stage why your golf recreation works, and we had been in a position to determine just a few issues out in Japan. Additionally, it helps that the putter acquired scorching, which is at all times good, and I put collectively fairly just a few nice iron photographs once I wanted to.
Picture:
Collin Morikawa’s win was his first because the 2021 Open Championship success
That is at all times been my power, even once I do not hit it nice, my iron play continues to be proving to be the one facet of my recreation that I can depend on.
It was superb to have my spouse, Kat, in Japan to have fun the win with me. She’s been by my facet, at all times rooting me on. She is consistently giving me little boosts of confidence with out even attempting.
Dwell PGA Tour Golf
Simply realizing that on daily basis I’ve somebody who believes in me, not simply because I play golf and I would be capable of win, however simply due to who I’m, it means the world to me. I am very fortunate to have her help day in and time out, it doesn’t matter what.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not additionally thank my caddie J.J. (Jonathan Jakovac), who’s simply the perfect. Even in robust occasions, he is caught via it with me. We have sat on the vary for longer than I feel I’ve ever hit balls over the previous few years.
Picture:
Jonathan Jakovac has caddied for Collin Morikawa in every of his PGA Tour victories
He is executed greater than most likely what I might have even requested for out of a caddie, and that is saying lots. It isn’t like these guys are simply carrying a golf bag … he is proper there, he is a pal, a mentor, and somebody I depend on and respect. I would not be the place I’m at present or have six PGA Tour wins with out him.
All I can say is, I have been fortunate to have him because the day I turned skilled.
Watch the Zozo Championship all through the week dwell on Sky Sports activities. Dwell protection begins on Thursday from 4am on Sky Sports activities Golf or stream with NOW.
