2023 Zozo Championship: Collin Morikawa grabs Round 1 lead eyeing first PGA Tour win in more than two years

Here’s a real remark that feels false whilst you learn it: Collin Morikawa has now not received a PGA Tour match in 27 months, nor has he received a qualified event of any type in just about two years. After capturing 64 in the first spherical of the Zozo Championship in Japan, although, he has one in all his higher possibilities to take action in some time.

Morikawa used to be flawless on Thursday at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club with six birdies, no bogeys and the outright lead by means of one over a bunch that comes with Robby Shelton, Mikumu Horikawa, Eric Cole, Nicolai Hojgaard and Emiliano Grillo, all of whom shot 5 beneath. 

This ties Morikawa’s absolute best ranking in this path. He additionally shot 64 in 2019 and 2022 however didn’t end in the highest 20 in both of the ones two tournaments. The 64 in Round 1 used to be the first time he is opened this event at that quantity, although, and it comes after now not having performed for the reason that Ryder Cup 3 weeks in the past and now not having performed a stroke-play match anyplace for the reason that Tour Championship on the finish of August.

“Taking a few weeks off, you never know what you’re going to get,” mentioned Morikawa. “But I’ve been kind of working on a few things trying to get control of the golf ball, spent a lot of time putting yesterday. It’s nice to kind of see the work I’ve put in, just kind of recreate that on the golf course. Obviously you never know how it’s going to be, but it was a fun round today.”

It’s a a laugh spherical that might lead to crucial win — now not simply on account of the drought (which we will get to in a minute) however as a result of Morikawa is part Japanese with lineage on his father’s aspect of the circle of relatives. This is one thing he has spoken about proudly over the years and would upload some weight to a victory. 

“There’s obviously a little bit more meaning to this tournament for me,” Morkiawa mentioned. “But look, a win’s a win. I’ll take a win anywhere, right? I’m doing everything I can the next three days and kind of tonight to make sure I give myself the best opportunity to do that.”

In addition to the stack of avid gamers at 5 beneath, Zac Blair is at 4 beneath. A large workforce, together with Xander Schauffele, Cam Davis, Sahith Theegala and ultimate 12 months’s champion, Keegan Bradley, is at 3 beneath simply in the back of them. So Morikawa has a large number of paintings to do to protected what can be his first PGA Tour victory for the reason that summer time of 2021.

And why is it that Morikawa hasn’t received in this kind of very long time? Most of it, in truth — and this neither an attractive nor pleasant resolution — most certainly has to do with win success. Rick Gehman wrote recently that the Morikawa who received six instances to begin his occupation isn’t actually that other of a participant from the one who has now not received in any respect for the reason that 2021 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s. The stat traces between “Old Morikawa” and “New Morikawa” are nearly the very same.

While there are undoubtedly nuances that the ones huge numbers can’t give an explanation for — like his brief recreation falling aside all through the 2023 Tournament of Champions or the convenience of successful so much at an age of innocence — they inform a tale of any person whose win résumé goes to stage over the years. Morikawa is most certainly inferior to his early win résumé would recommend, however he is by no means as “bad” as his contemporary win résumé would recommend.

The resolution, as with maximum issues, is someplace in the center. Whether that path correction comes this weekend on the Zozo Championship is still noticed, however 64, a one-shot lead and the most efficient get started he is ever had at this event foreshadow that it unquestionably may.