Collin Morikawa made a surprising late eagle after the drive of his life to drag away from a jam-packed leaderboard and safe a two-shot victory on the PGA Championship on Sunday in solely the second main begin of his profession.
The 23-year-old American, who started the day at Harding Park two photographs again of in a single day chief Dustin Johnson, shot a bogey-free six-under-par 64 to achieve 13 beneath for the match.
Former world primary Johnson (68) and English Ryder Cup veteran Paul Casey (66) completed in a share of second place, whereas the wheels got here off Brooks Koepka’s (74) bid for a 3rd straight PGA Championship title early on.
Morikawa, whose solely mistake of the day got here when the lid fell off the Wanamaker Trophy as he lifted it up on the 18th inexperienced, stated he was on “cloud 9” after the win.
“It’s exhausting to consider what this championship means, and clearly it’s a serious, and that is what guys go for, particularly on the finish of the their profession, and we’re simply beginning,” he added.
The primary main of the COVID-19 period, performed with out followers on a cypress-lined municipal course, regarded headed for a playoff because the day started with 11 gamers inside three photographs of Johnson, and at one level late within the spherical seven gamers shared the lead.
Morikawa obtained his nostril in entrance on the par-four 14th the place he chipped in from 54 ft for birdie.
Then, after narrowly lacking a birdie at 15, Morikawa hit the shot of the match as his drive on the 294-yard par-four 16th settled seven ft from the cup to depart him with a putt for eagle.
“We had been simply hoping for a very good bounce, and we obtained it, hit a very good putt, and now we’re right here,” stated Morikawa, who collected the third win of his profession and the second for the reason that PGA Tour resumed in June.
With the win, Morikawa joins Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as the one gamers since World Conflict Two to win the PGA Championship at age 23 or youthful.
‘WASN’T MEANT TO BE’
Koepka started the day two photographs off the lead however slid out of rivalry after going 4 over on the entrance 9, a stretch that included three consecutive bogeys going into the flip as he struggled with the thick tough and inexperienced speeds.
“You already know … wasn’t meant to be,” stated Koepka. “Three in a row, you’re probably not purported to do two in a row historical past, however that’s all proper. Obtained two extra (majors) the remainder of the season and we’ll determine it out from there.”
Koepka completed on three beneath for the match, tied for 29th.
Johnson, who was in a share of the lead late within the day, suffered a bogey at 14 shortly after Morikawa made his transfer. He’s the primary participant to complete runner-up on the PGA Championship in consecutive years since Nicklaus (1964, 1965).
Casey was tied for the lead when he reached the 17th however his hopes of a maiden main championship all of a sudden slipped away as Morikawa, one group behind, hit the tee shot that led to an eagle and a two-stroke cushion.
“I performed phenomenal golf and there’s nothing I might change,” Casey stated after his greatest end in a serious.
“The fantastic photographs Collin hit like on 16 to make eagle, it’s a must to tip your cap … He’s already type of proved it however he’s actually stamped his authority of how good he’s right now.”
Woods, who stated he would skip subsequent week’s PGA Tour occasion, completed with a three-under 67 for a share of 37th place.