Sean M. Haffey
By Joel Beall
Collin Morikawa is one of the best irons players in the sport. Turns out the short game ain’t too shabby either.
Morikawa, in a logjam at the top of the leaderboard at the PGA Championship, separated himself from the pack at Harding Park with this unbelievably clutch chip-in at Harding Park’s 14th hole.
MORIKAWA!!! CHIPS IT IN FOR THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/5KPm6tkW5Z
— GOLFonCBS (@GOLFonCBS) August 9, 2020
That is getting it done, son.
Not only did the chip-in come after a somewhat chunked iron shot, but Morikawa ranks 119th in strokes gained/around-the-green. Insert your “there are lies, damn lies and statistics” joke here.
Better yet, Morikawa proved the chip-in wasn’t an aberration but an extension of nerve, as he proceeded to drive the par-4 16th. From 10 feet, Morikawa converted the eagle for a three-shot lead he was able to ride to the clubhouse, eventually finishing two strokes clear of Englishman Pual Casey for a maiden major title in just his second major start.
Shot of the day/month/year for Collin Morikawa. pic.twitter.com/3TubR6LlQG
— GOLFTV (@GOLFTV) August 10, 2020
There’s always one stellar shot that seals the deal at a major championship, the type of shot that lives on through montages and YouTube and lore. That chip-in and following drive for eagle proved the difference for Morikawa.