Collin Morikawa’s game is back.
After a really tough stretch to begin his 2024 season, Morikawa is clicking on all cylinders. He posted a 3-under 68 Saturday at the RBC Heritage and is in solo third at 14-under.
Of course, he still trails Masters champion Scottie Scheffler by two strokes.
Nevertheless, the Cal Berkeley graduate is confident he can get the job done this time.
“I absolutely want to win. There’s no reason why — you look at the past two weeks, it’s like, I’ve given myself chances, it’s time to close one out,” Morikawa said after his round.
“I think for tomorrow I’ve just got to stay within myself and play my game. I’ve really got to stick to my game plan, stick to how I have plotted out this golf course, and go from there.”
It might take a bit more than that if he wants to add another title to his belt.
Scheffler is playing as well as anyone since prime Tiger Woods in the early 2000’s. He simply is not making any mistakes.
In order for Morikawa to win this week, he will likely need to go very low Sunday. But with his game rounding into form, he is certainly capable of doing just that.
“This is how I feel like I used to play. That’s what’s great is that you just find a way to score and you find a way to keep yourself near the lead,” explained Morikawa.
The two-time major winner then gave a specific anecdote for his mental approach.
“Webb Simpson told me early on in my career, if you just have a chance with nine holes to go or 18 holes on a Sunday, you’ve done a lot of the work needed. Tomorrow is just all about committing to your shots and just remembering that — staying in your own head, not trying to play anyone else’s golf.”
Indeed, he cannot worry about what anyone else, Scheffler included is doing. But he will need to play excellent golf if he wants to close this out. That is all but a certainty.
Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social media platforms.