Collin Morikawa ready for PGA Championship pressure after Augusta National mistakes

After a disappointing Sunday at this year’s Augusta National, Collin Morikawa spoke about how “greed” cost him his chance to win a green jacket.

A mistake down the stretch sealed his fate. My approach play was too aggressive, especially on the 9th and 11th holes.

But Morikawa shot a 4-under 67 at the PGA Championship on Saturday to share the 54-hole lead with Xander Schauffele. He also believes he has learned from his past mistakes.

“I’ve learned a lot over the past month, over the past two years, and over the past five years as a professional,” Morikawa said.

“I think I’m ready for this moment, given everything I’ve been through over the last few years.” 1 month ago [at Augusta], I felt like I was ready. I made some mistakes. I hope that doesn’t happen tomorrow. ”

Morikawa burst onto the scene at TPC Harding Park in 2020, winning his first Wanamaker Trophy, and added the Claret Jag to his resume the following year. It seemed like more majors would definitely follow suit, but that wasn’t the case.

Instead, he had many close calls, including at this year’s Masters. He has finished in the top 10 at three other majors since winning the 2021 British Open Championship.

“I just have to focus on myself,” Morikawa added.

“Look, I’ve played against all these players. It’s not like these guys are new. They all have admiration within themselves, and really anyone can go down. .”

Valhalla has produced record-low scoring conditions this week, with Schauffele and Shane Lowry each posting 9-under 62s. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 15 players were at least 10 under after 54 holes, a record for a major championship.

Six players are also within two strokes of the lead, which interestingly hasn’t happened since the 2020 PGA Championship.

Despite this, Morikawa plans to stick with his game plan that has worked well so far.

“I want to take it one shot at a time,” Morikawa said.

Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America (via Getty Images)

“If I have to press, I’m going to press on the last couple of holes. [need to] I’ll stick to the game plan I’ve been working on. It’s working. He was tied for first through three rounds today. So I have work to do by 6pm tomorrow. ”

Nothing compares to the pressure you feel on a Sunday afternoon at a major championship. Players sometimes hit bad shots, but it depends on how they bounce. Those who take advantage of opportunities while mitigating mistakes usually emerge victorious.

Morikawa knows that, but he let his emotions get the better of him at Augusta National.

“Looking back at Augusta, I think I felt sharp in everything, but I think I could have done a little bit of self-talk before I stepped on the first tee and really I couldn’t get ahead of myself,” Morikawa said.

“Even if you hit a bad shot, just because you hit a bad shot doesn’t mean you’re going to move on and try something new on your next shot. It’s just a bad swing, a lack of effort, a bad shot. Please proceed to the next step and try the next step.

For Mr. Morikawa’s sake, I hope he arrives at Valhalla mentally sharpened after a brief 60-second pep talk. But at the end of the day, golf’s old adage hasn’t changed. The most important shot is the next one.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.