2022 RBC Heritage: Top 10 Power Rankings At Harbour Town
Collin Morikawa didn’t have his best stuff at times at Augusta National, but he’s a gritty competitor whose bad weeks look like a lot of guys’ good weeks.
The two-time major champion couldn’t rack up his third by age 25, settling for fifth place. The Californian posted rounds of 73-70-74-67. Morikawa drew tough conditions Thursday afternoon and hit just nine greens in a windy round one. He buckled down from there, and a 74 on Saturday wasn’t terrible, either, given the course difficulty on Saturday.
He never threatened Scottie Scheffler in the final round, but Morikawa’s holed bunker shot on 18 for birdie was a fun cherry on top of his fifth top-10 in nine major starts.
Another consolation prize was Morikawa usurping Jon Rahm for the No. 2 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings.
After posting a top-10 in just his second tournament appearance last year, Collin Morikawa is returning to the RBC Heritage.
The Californian posted 65-68-67-72 to finish T-7th and just three shots back of second place.
Morikawa ranked third in the field in strokes gained approach (7.584) and second in SG tee to green (11.556) but couldn’t roll in enough putts to contend. He was T-1st in greens in regulation (77.78%).
“It’s a course that I think really suits my game,” Morikawa was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2021. “A lot of tee to green, a lot of approach shots that are kind of in my wheelhouse.”
Morikawa’s elite iron play is suitable to attack small, fast and undulating greens at the RBC Heritage
He can keep driver in the bag often, letting his dominance from 200 yards and in shine. Morikawa is 21st (.609) on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach and led in that stat a season ago (1.17).
The former Cal Golden Bear is first in proximity from 100-125 yards (14’5), second from 50-125 (13’10”), and sixth from 200-plus (44’8).
While his short game still needs refinement, Morikawa is a new man on the greens these days. He’s up from 178th (-.457) last season to 31st (.424) in SG putting.