Does Collin Morikawa Feel Like He’s Trying to Win His First Major Again? Let Him Explain

When he finally got it done, Morikawa told Skratch’s Dan Rapaport on Monday’s edition of Dan On Golf that it was the biggest thing to happen in the sport since he turned professional, and that he’ll remember where he was when it happened.

Even for his co-workers, Rory’s win meant something for the rest of the guys on the PGA TOUR.

Of course, it wasn’t the only thing McIlroy finally did that day. It’d been over 10 years since he hoisted hardware at a major championship, and he felt like he was trying to win his first all over again.

Morikawa was another player who won two major championships extremely early in his career. He captured his first at the 2020 PGA Championship before becoming the Champion Golfer of the Year at the 2021 Open.

Photo: Getty Images

But since then, he’s won just once on TOUR, the 2023 ZOZO Championship.

Dan asked Morikawa if he feels like he’s trying to win his first major again. Here’s what he said.

“In a way, yeah. You know, you see all these guys win every year and you kinda look back and you’re like, ‘Man, I’ve been in that position, but, like, it’s been a little bit of a time.’ It doesn’t take away from the fact that you know you can do it. So it goes back to this old question of oh, when are you going to win next? When are you going to beat everyone this week? It’s not, like, oh man, I hope I can do it again. It’s going to happen. I’m gonna make myself—I’m gonna will the ball into the hole one week. And we’re just gonna do it, right?”

“When time goes on and you only get four a year, you kinda look back and you’re like, ‘Man, where did those four go?’ You don’t play well, or the weeks don’t go to plan and they go really quickly. Once April hits and we hit the Masters, the rest of the season just goes by in an instant. For us, it’s how do we slow things down? How do you appreciate the moment? How do you enjoy the moments and really take it in because they can get very repetitive. Even at new courses, even at new majors, you have to just show up and be ready for a new opportunity.”

As for the state of his game entering this week’s Truist Championship, Morikawa said it feels great but he has to “tidy up” on some little things.

“It’s just small, small things that make a big difference.

Also on this week’s DOG, Scottie Scheffler joins the show after a record-tying win at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, Dan ranks Tiger Woods' best celebrations, and we look ahead to preview this week's Truist Championship at Philly Cricket Club.

And don’t forget, there’s a Creator Classic on Wednesday!

You can listen to Dan On Golf wherever you get your podcasts or on the show’s YouTube channel.