2022 Genesis Scottish Open: Top 10 Power Rankings at The Renaissance Club

Collin Morikawa’s first professional golf foray in Europe proved to be an interesting couple of weeks.

The young pro had already accomplished a ton in the amateur and professional game, including his 2020 PGA Championship victory. He was already a big-time star before ever playing across the pond.

Acclimating to links golf took a little time.

The usually consistent golfer sputtered to T-71st at the 2021 Genesis Scottish Open. Morikawa pointed out he was having trouble adjusting to the different turf and having to go away from his trusty stock three-yard fade.

Figuring things out at The Renaissance Club proved to be a bit of a struggle, but that was exactly the testing ground he needed to flourish the next week.

Morikawa fired four rounds in the 60s the next week at Royal St. George’s to pick up his second major.

“It’s a learning curve but it’s a learning curve that I enjoy and I love being creative,” Morikawa was transcribed by ASAP Sports prior to the 2021 Scottish Open. “I love kind of coming out here and it kind of fits my game. How do I figure out how do I hit my iron shots, play certain pins, play aggressive to certain hole locations out here.”

This is Morikawa’s first start since he took T-5th at the U.S. Open.

Shooting 66 on Friday and Sunday netted him low round of the day twice, but a Saturday 77 was too much to supersede.

Morikawa won late in 2021 at the DP World Tour Championship. The former Cal Golden Bear has yet to hoist a trophy in 2022, but he’s got five top-10s including T-2nd at the Genesis Invitational and fifth at the Masters.

The 25-year-old ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach per round (.894). Wide fairways are a welcome sight as he’s sixth in proximity from the fairway (29’5”).

As long as Morikawa’s hitting tons of greens per usual, his inconsistent short game shouldn’t be too harmful.