Collin Morikawa Makes History In Dubai
Collin Morikawa produced a stunning back nine to claim the DP World Tour Championship, and become the first American to win the Race to Dubai title.
We were treated to an enthralling and quality packed final round at Jumeriah Golf Estates, with Collin Morikawa producing five birdies over his last seven holes to secure a three shot win over Matt Fitzpatrick and Alexander Bjork.
Not only did Morikawa claim the DP World Tour Championship, but also became the first American to pick up the Race to Dubai trophy.
"This moment feels so good," said Morikawa, "I would be lying to you if I didn't say I was watching what Matt Fitzpatrick was doing today.
"Props to him because he came out firing, but I knew it was 18 holes and all I needed to do was catch a spark. To win the DP World Tour Championship is really special."
Starting the final round three shots back of overnight leader Rory McIlroy, Morikawa didn't start overly brightly, with six consecutive pars beginning his final round.
As McIlroy and others began to pull away slightly, Morikawa found another gear, with a birdie at the 7th momentarily giving the American some momentum.
With the field now deep into the back nine, it was Matt Fitzpatrick who set the clubhouse target.
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Standing on the 16th tee at seven-under-par for his round, the young Englishman would rue two costly bogies on the 16th and 17th, with a closing birdie setting a 14-under-par target.
Back out on the course, Morikawa was beginning to fire, as a laser-like iron on the 12th was dually rolled in for the start of a string of birdies.
Chasing down McIlroy and Fitzpatrick, the American made back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th to put himself tied for the lead with McIlroy.
It wasn't long though before Morikawa was alone at the top of the leaderboard. Playing the 15th, McIlroy's short pitch clattered into the flag, catapulting his ball back into the bunker, leading to a scrappy bogey.
How unlucky is that?! 😱McIlroy hits the pin and ends up making bogey at the 15th, giving Morikawa the outright lead! 📺 Watch the final round live now on Sky Sports Golf! pic.twitter.com/qtnLIU83DWNovember 21, 2021
McIlroy's misery was compounded further, as a three-putt bogey at the next dropped the Northern Irishman one shot back.
As he struggled, Morikawa didn't, rolling in a superb birdie putt at the 17th, before a controlled birdie at the par-5 18th put a stamp on a commanding performance.
Speaking after his round, Morikawa said "Starting off with six pars on some potential birdie holes wasn't fun. I didn't feel like I got the breaks I deserved, but I saw the leaderboard on the 9th and thought 'I'm still in this.'
"I was nervous coming down the stretch, but I channel those nerves into excitement. It's an honour to be the first American to win the Race to Dubai and to put my name against many, many greats and Hall of Famers is special."
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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