Collin Morikawa Ends 27-Month Victory Drought With Win in Japan

The 26-year-old Cal alum fires a final-round 63, pulls away for 6-stroke triumph in great-grandparents' homeland.

Collin Morikawa’s 27-month victory drought is finally over.

The 26-year-old Cal grad fired a final-round seven-under 63 to capture the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan on Sunday.

Without a victory since capturing The Open Championship at Royal St. George’s in England win July 2021, Morikawa prevailed at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club outside Tokyo by assembling a four-day score of 14 under par to win by six strokes.

He called the victory “incredible.”

Morikawa entered the final four of the season's final tournament two strokes back in fourth place but played a bogey-free round with seven birdies to pull away from the field.

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Americans Eric Cole and Beau Hossler tied for second. Third-round leader Justin Suh shot a 74 on Sunday and wound up tied for 10th.

Morikawa was understandably giddy after winning his sixth PGA Tour event.

"It feels so good, I can't even explain it," he said. "I knew I was going to get here at some point. It's like getting your first win, your first major."

Morikawa opened with a 64 on Thursday before posting a second-round 73 that included four bogeys and a double-bogey. Things continued in the wrong direction on Saturday when he made a double-bogey on No. 1 and a bogey on No. 4.

But he reeled off eight birdies the rest of the way including five over the final six holes to pull him back into contention heading into Sunday’s final round.

"The putter got hot, which is really nice," Morikawa said. "I haven't had that in quite some time."

A two-time major winner by the time he was 24, Morikawa said he hasn’t made substantial changes while trying to get back in the victory column. He also told reporters he has tried not to overreact to losing, but admitted "the thoughts in your head start piling up.

"I had to really look back and ask myself what's wrong," he said. "What's the reasoning behind finishing second — that versus a win. This win means the world. Being in Japan and being half Japanese. A lot has come through over the past week."

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The victory came in the country from which Morikawa’s great-grandparents emigrated and was his first since marrying long-time girlfriend Katherine Zhu.

"She hasn't been to a win since -- it's been a long time since she's actually been at the tournament since we won. So it's nice to have her here," he said.

The two arrived in Japan early and spent “four full days just eating," he said. "Like, you know, visiting around, looking around Tokyo, but truly eating. We would eat at seven to eight spots. That's a lot.”

Morikawa, who is Japanese on his father’s side, welcomed the support he received from fans.

"I knew at the beginning of the week that the fans out here are obviously rooting for the Japanese players," he said. "But I like to count myself as a part Japanese player -- so I felt the love.”

Morikawa also credited his caddie, J.J. Jakovac, with helping him by reviewing video and coordinating long putting sessions during his drought to find solutions to his problems.

"He's a friend, he's a mentor, he's someone I rely on, he's someone I respect," Morikawa said. "He's everything. I wouldn't be here right now without him.”

Morikawa earned a winner’s paycheck of $1,530,000.

Cover photo of Collin Morikawa by Kyle Terada, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo