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Collin Morikawa: FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?

By Tim Letcher

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 12: Collin Morikawa of the United States hits his tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 12, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 12: Collin Morikawa of the United States hits his tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 12, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Collin Morikawa is one of the most talented young players on the PGA Tour. He has already won a major. Can he add the 2021 FedEx Cup to his resume?

With the 2021 portion of the PGA Tour schedule now underway, we at Pro Golf Now will be taking a look at players outside of the current top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings and whether they are contenders or pretenders for the 2021 FedEx Cup. Our latest subject is the current No. 124, Collin Morikawa.

Best career FedEx Cup finish: Morikawa has qualified for the FedEx Cup playoffs twice, making the postseason both times he was eligible. In 2019, despite playing in just nine PGA Tour events, Morikawa finished 59th in the FedEx Cup standings. Then last season, following his first full year on tour, Morikawa finished sixth in the final postseason standings.

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So far this season: The 2020-21 campaign got off to a rough start for Morikawa. After winning his first major at the PGA Championship near the end of last year, the 23-year-old has seen his game fall off just a bit.

His season started at the U.S. Open, where he shot 76 in Thursday and 71 on Friday. Despite the tough conditions at Winged Foot, this was not enough to make the cut.

After taking three weeks off, Morikawa returned to play, teeing it up at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. There, he shot 69-67 for a 6-under par total. That was not enough to make the cut.

Staying in Las Vegas, Morikawa played at the CJ Cup the following week, turning in his best result of the season to this point.

Morikawa started the event with a 71 but bounced back very nicely with a 65 on Friday. He shot 71 on Saturday and 73 on Sunday to finish in a tie for 12th place.

The next week, Morikawa played at the Zozo Championship at Sherwood Country Club. He shot remarkably similar scores that week, with a 71 on Thursday and a 65 on Friday. He followed that with a 72 on Saturday and a 71 on Sunday. That was only good enough to tie him for 50th place.

Next. Brooks Koepka: 2021 FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?. dark

Morikawa’s final start of the 2020 calendar year came at the Masters. He opened play at Augusta National with a 70 and followed that with a 74 on Friday to make the cut. He then shot 70 on Saturday and 74 on Sunday to finish in a tie for 44th.

The verdict: Morikawa is one of the tour’s brightest young stars. His season has not gotten off to a great start but he can, and will, bounce back. Consider him a strong contender for the 2021 FedEx Cup.

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