Morikawa Claims Dramatic Pebble Beach Win After Two-Year Drought
Collin Morikawa ended his two-year PGA Tour victory drought Sunday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, making a clutch birdie on the final hole for a one-shot win after an excruciating 20-minute wait.
The Cal alum fired a 5-under 67 to finish at 22-under 266, edging Sepp Straka and Min Woo Lee by a single stroke. It’s Morikawa’s first Tour victory since the Zozo Championship in Japan in October 2023 — a span of 45 starts.
“I paced all the way to the ocean 10 times. I just had to keep moving,” Morikawa said about the lengthy delay on 18. “These long breaks, they’re not good for anyone to stand still. I was able to pull off a great 4-iron, and man, I need a drink.”
The win couldn’t have come at a better time personally. “The best way to announce it to the world,” Morikawa said, revealing that he and his wife are expecting their first child.
The final round featured wild wind and constant lead changes. Scottie Scheffler provided the day’s biggest charge, starting eight shots back before going 7-under through his first seven holes. His round of 63 featured three eagles, including a spectacular 6-iron to 30 inches on 18 that temporarily tied him for the lead.
That’s where Morikawa’s poise proved crucial. Moments after Scheffler posted 21-under, Morikawa drained a 30-foot birdie putt on 15 to retake the lead, then followed with a pinpoint 6-iron to 8 feet for another birdie on 16.
A bogey on the par-3 17th — where his tee shot flirted dangerously with the ocean — combined with Lee’s back-to-back closing birdies created another tie heading to the final hole.
The 18th produced high drama. In the group ahead, Jacob Bridgeman’s second shot sailed over the bunker onto the beach. His attempt to play from the pebbles bounced off rocks into the ocean, creating a lengthy delay as Morikawa waited to hit his approach.
When he finally got to play, Morikawa executed perfectly, starting his 4-iron over water before the wind pushed it to the right collar. He putted to a foot, tapping in after Straka made a 10-foot eagle for his share of second place.
Scheffler finished tied for fourth with Tommy Fleetwood (66), extending his remarkable streak to 18 consecutive PGA Tour top-10 finishes.
“I had to do something special to give myself a chance,” Scheffler said. “The back nine, I felt like I had to get to 21 or 22 (under). I played a bit more aggressive than I normally am. It was a fun day overall. These are the weeks I’m proud of. I felt like I was battling to give myself a chance.”
Akshay Bhatia, who led by two shots entering Sunday, made just two birdies over his final 29 holes. He fell out of the lead after four holes and never recovered, closing with a 72 to finish three back.
The victory marks Morikawa’s seventh PGA Tour win since turning pro just before the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. This win at the iconic venue propels him back into the world’s top 10.
