Collin Morikawa’s stunning 62 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am wasn’t just a number—it was a statement. In a sport where consistency is king, Morikawa’s Saturday performance was a royal coronation of his ball-striking prowess. But here’s where it gets controversial: can one round truly redefine a player’s trajectory, or is it just a fleeting moment of brilliance? Let’s dive in.
Written by Paul Hodowanic, the story unfolds with Morikawa’s masterful display, hitting all 18 greens and gaining a staggering 6.46 strokes on the field with his approach play. This wasn’t just a good round—it was the best statistical ball-striking performance of his career. And this is the part most people miss: Morikawa achieved this feat on a day when his putting actually cost him strokes. Imagine what he could do when every part of his game clicks.
Morikawa himself admitted, ‘Ball was going where I wanted, putts were dropping when I needed them. I just never got ahead of myself.’ Yet, his journey to this moment hasn’t been without struggle. Despite being a two-time major winner, Morikawa has grappled with inconsistency, particularly since his last win in 2023. His ball-striking, once his superpower, has oscillated between fantastic and merely good. For a player who knows he can be the best in the world when his iron play peaks, this inconsistency has been maddening.
But Saturday’s round was a reminder of why Morikawa is a force to be reckoned with. Starting early in calmer conditions, he birdied the par-5 second hole and stuffed a wedge to 4 feet on the third, setting the tone for a torrid front nine. Even a bogey on the 10th couldn’t derail him, as he finished with a blistering 5-under stretch on the final six holes. Three of his birdies came from inside 2 feet—a testament to his precision.
Yet, the question lingers: can Morikawa sustain this level of play? With Sunday’s forecast predicting 35 mph wind gusts, conditions will be brutal. A repeat 62 is unlikely, but that’s not the point. In golf, the process often matters more than the result—except when it doesn’t. On Sunday, at a Signature Event, the result will speak volumes.
Morikawa’s round wasn’t just a personal victory; it was a masterclass in iron play, rivaling the best we’ve seen from Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy. But as we marvel at his achievement, let’s ask ourselves: Is this the start of a new chapter for Morikawa, or just a brilliant outlier? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
