At the age of just 24, Collin Morikawa is already one of the biggest names in world golf.
The five-time PGA Tour winner only turned professional in 2019, but has already claimed two Major Championships, both on debut, at the 2021 Open Championship and 2020 PGA Championship, while also lifting the Ryder Cup earlier this year after starring in the biennial showpiece in September.
The World No.2 arrives at this week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship ranked top of the Race to Dubai and on the verge of history by becoming the first American to lift the Harry Vardon Trophy.
Sitting pretty on 3,856.40 points, the 2,000 points awarded to this week’s winner would see Morikawa win the season long rankings, but mathematically he could finish last this week and still be crowned European Number One – as long as Billy Horschel finishes worse than a two-way tie for eighth and the four other contenders don’t win.
Despite being on the cusp of history, along with the many accolades he has won at such a young age, Morikawa is keeping his feet firmly grounded.
“I still feel like I’m the same person,” he said. “I’ve learned lessons through golf and through the world that’s personal to me and that’s going to stay in my head but, when it comes to trying to win a Tour Championship, win the Race to Dubai, a lot has to go into it.
“I’m not taking this week lightly. I’ve put a lot of work in the last week, the past couple of days to be ready and to come out here and play as best as I can.
“Yes, we’re at the tail end of the season and I made that mistake with how the PGA Tour and the FedEx Cup, went injuring myself and getting a little unfortunate the way the play-offs worked. I worked so hard through the regular season to put myself in a good spot that I don’t want to let this go.
“I think I said this last year, you don’t know how many chances you’re going to get to win a Race to Dubai and I’ve been very lucky to play well this year in a Major and the WGC to get me in that position. But I want to come out here and win. If I win, it takes care of everything.
“At the end of the day, I’m still playing four rounds. And yes, it is a season long race but this tournament means a lot to me too. I want to come out here and I wouldn’t show up if I didn’t think I could win.
“So I’m sure there’s a lot of scenarios out there but if I start worrying about them, they might come true, I could be on the bad end of that.
“It’s exciting. When your game feels good, when you head into a week like this, even with a lot of travel, you do as much prep as you can by Thursday and you just get ready to play some great golf.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Morikawa was given Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour in recognition of his debut Open Championship victory at Royal St Georges in July. He becomes just the 57th player in the Tour’s 49-year history to receive the accolade which was first given to the Tour’s Founding Father John Jacobs in 1978.
He is also the fifth American to be given Honorary Life Membership, following in the footsteps of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Patrick Reed.
“Two and a half years ago when I turned pro, I had no clue what life was going to put in front of me, but I’m very thankful for what I’ve been able to accomplish,” he said. “Obviously the world has gone through many changes, but this means a lot and I have to say thanks to the European Tour.
“We want to grow the game as much as we can, and this is an important piece of that. So I’m going to honour this and this is going to be very special and it is definitely a top highlight so far since turning pro, so thank you.”
