Matthew Wolff or Collin Morikawa: Who would you choose?

There are a ton of talented youngsters on the PGA Tour right now. Say you are looking for a single player to root for. You narrow it down to Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff. Who would you choose?

It’s a question I was asking myself after watching the Tiger Woods documentary and realizing that the longstanding rivalry between him and Phil is all but over as they approach the end of their careers.

There are some guys that could take their place, but who have already been around. Pick two out of Koepka, DeChambeau, DJ, Rory, Thomas, or Rahm, and you could have a great rivalry. What I want is to pick out someone that you could watch battle their “foe” for the next 20 years, ala Phil and Tiger.

If you had to pick Collin Morikawa or Matthew Wolff, which would you go with?

Now, I know there are a couple of others that you could include. I almost put in Viktor Hovland instead since he already has two wins, and would have that Oklahoma State connection with Wolff. I wanted to throw Morikawa in because of his major, against Wolff, who is only 21. Maybe Hovland will be the Sergio Garcia to Wolff and Morikawa. Hopefully without the attitude.

It looks like Morikawa is the frontrunner so far to take the role of “the next great thing” that so many have been tied to before. He has already won three tournaments, including the 2020 PGA Championship. He beat Justin Thomas in a playoff and paired with his major win, shows that he can excel under pressure. Especially with how loaded and tight the PGA Championship leaderboard was.

Having recently turned 24, Morikawa nearly had another win at the tournament of champions in early January. After averaging 66.33 the first three days, he needed a 68 to tie and a 67 to win outright. Instead, he came out and shot 73. Every great needs a moment like this to remember as they continue their career, to use it as a driving force towards greatness. Will it be a crutch or a motivator? Time will tell.

Then we have Matthew Wolff. I’m a tall, lanky, doofy guy, and have always been a fan of anyone that is outside the norm. Shawn Marion’s jumper, Mike Fetter’s funky pre-pitch routine, a squirrel dance, Jim Furyk’s swing, or Luis Tiant’s windup… you show me something odd in sports, and chances are good that I like it. I walked into baseball my freshman year at 6’5″ and 165 pounds, hair down to my shoulders and earrings. The coach didn’t even have to ask, he knew I was a pitcher. If only I could still grow hair.

Anyway, Wolff might be my new Jim Furyk. He’s long been my favorite golfer on tour, but at age 50, any real chance of winning a PGA event is likely behind him. Shoot, he only has one in the last decade when he beat Kisner in a playoff at the 2015 RBC Heritage.

Matthew Wolff is nearly 30 years his junior. He came so close to being one of the youngest major winners ever when he finished second at the US Open, albeit by six shots to Beefy Bryson, back in September 2020. He followed that up by losing in a playoff at the Shriners. Back-to-back second-place finishes are impressive for anyone. Especially a 21-year-old.

There are plenty of greats in the game. You could break it down into four tiers. Those who are nearing the end of their careers (Phil, Tiger, Sergio), those who are in their prime (DJ, Koepka, Rory), the late 20’s guys that are arguably entering their prime (JT, Bryson, Cantlay), and then the youth. Honestly, it’s a fantastic time to be a golf fan. If you need someone new to root for and want one of the up-and-coming generations, there are plenty of choices.

For me, the answer is Matthew Wolff. Give me that goofy swing every day for the next 20 years.