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2021 Open Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Royal St. George’s

By Mike Randleman

CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Detail View of Claret Jug Open signage during the first round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 19, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Detail View of Claret Jug Open signage during the first round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 19, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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Jun 20, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Collin Morikawa plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Collin Morikawa plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Collin Morikawa leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach. And it’s not even close. The ball-striking extraordinaire gains 1.502 strokes per round on the field. Paul Casey is next at .907 and Russell Heney (.901) is the only other above .9.

Morikawa is also first in SG tee to green (2.044) and birdie average (4.47).

His iron game translates beautifully to the aerial style of play predominant on the PGA Tour. That type of target golf is what he thrived on growing up in California and rising up the amateur and pro ranks in the U.S.

But will it translate to the links land?

Morikawa is wise beyond his years, but there’s no replicating reps at the Open Championship.

This is the 24-year-old’s tournament debut, which is cause for me to keep him from ascending higher in this week’s power rankings.

The former Cal Golden Bear was just beginning his pro career in 2019 and was unable to qualify in time. Obviously 2020’s event was canceled, so here we are having a go for the first time at Royal St. George’s.

Morikawa also did not play in Europe in the Walker Cup. His only appearance was in 2017 when his side won in his home state at Los Angeles Country Club.

Morikawa played in last week’s Scottish Open to acclimate to golf across the pond. He finished T-71st for his worst finish since his last missed stroke play cut at the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Prior to Scotland, he was on a run of five straight top-14s, including T-8th at the PGA Championship, solo second at the Memorial Tournament and T-4th at the U.S. Open.

He’s already got a major championship win under the belt at the 2020 PGA Championship. That was one of three top-10s and six made cuts in seven major starts.

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