Collin Morikawa was compared to Tiger Woods early in his career, after winning the WGC-Workday Championship at the Concession Golf Club in February 2021. He became the second player in history, after Tiger Woods, to win both a major and a golf championship before turning 25.
What happened?
Morikawa won the PGA Championship in August 2020, and then the WGC-Workday Championship in February 2021, beating Viktor Hovland, Brooks Koepka, and Billy Horschel by three shots.
Why it matters for Collin Morikawa
The comparison to Tiger Woods put pressure on Morikawa to perform, and he admitted to pushing himself too much, which led to a 27-month winless stretch, including a runner-up finish at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions, where he blew a six-shot, 54-hole lead to Jon Rahm.
What comes next?
Morikawa has since broken through the drought, winning the ZOZO Championship in October 2023, and has said he leans on his caddie, J.J. Jakovac, and manager, Mark O'Meara, to keep things in perspective, and to enjoy the moments, as O'Meara tells him to 'mellow out the bottoms and enjoy the highs'.
Morikawa turned professional in 2019, and quickly achieved success, winning his first PGA Tour title, the Barracuda Championship, in his sixth start as a pro, and making 22 consecutive cuts to open his career.
On March 08, 2026, Morikawa played in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course in Orlando, Florida, where he hit a drive at the 11th hole during the final round.
Morikawa's win at the WGC-Workday Championship in 2021 was a significant achievement, as he became the second player in history to win both a major and a golf championship before turning 25, after Tiger Woods.
The pressure to perform was intense, and Morikawa admitted to feeling like he had to do too much, which affected his game, and led to a winless stretch, but he has since found his form, and is looking to continue his success.
Morikawa's caddie, J.J. Jakovac, and manager, Mark O'Meara, have been instrumental in helping him to keep things in perspective, and to enjoy the moments, and Morikawa has said that he is grateful for their support.
The comparison to Tiger Woods will always be there, but Morikawa is focused on his own game, and is looking to continue his success, and to make a name for himself in the golf world.
Morikawa's recent play has been impressive, and he will look to continue his form in upcoming tournaments, including the major championships, where he will face stiff competition from other top golfers, including Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland.