2021 The Northern Trust: Top 10 power rankings at Liberty National

There was really no doubt, but it became official last week when Collin Morikawa became the first American player to clinch a Ryder Cup bid.

If you win two majors, you’ll be on the team, too. Morikawa captivated us with a win at the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 The Open. He’s been remarkably consistent week in and week out and could climb to world No. 1 by the time he ships off to Whistling Straits.

This is the former Cal Golden Bear’s third FedEx Cup Playoffs appearance.

He made his debut at this same event and locale as a rookie at the 2019 The Northern Trust at Liberty National.

Morikawa didn’t have his best stuff that week in Jersey City, but he posted 71-70-72-68 for T-52nd. It was enough to advance to the BMW Championship.

A year later, Morikawa advanced to the Tour Championship and is a lock to get back to East Lake in 2021.

He took a much deserved week off to prepare for the playoffs. Morikawa’s last outing ended in T-26th at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Prior, he nearly medaled at the Olympics, settling for T-4th after losing in a playoff for the bronze medal.

Morikawa has made 13 straight stroke play cuts worldwide dating back to October.

The 24-year-old Californian ranks first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach (1.395) and SG tee to green (1.956). If his putter cooperates, all the other tools are there. Morikawa is tops in birdie average (4.4) and second in greens in regulation (71.81%).