The Hawaii to Florida redeye for TGL’s debut is a chore, but one two-time major winner is a believer in the new format.
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LAHAINA,Hawaii—DidCollinMorikawathinkhis2024seasonwentundertheradar?
HefinishedsecondattheTourChampionship.Heplayedinthefinalgroupattwomajors.Hehadseventop-5sandco-ledtheU.S.TeamwithfourwinsatthePresidentsCup.Bymostmetrics,hewasthefourth-orfifth-bestgolferintheworldlastyear,areturntoproperformforthestarwhowontwomajorchampionshipsbythetimehewas24.Now27,hewasplayingthebestoverallgolfofhiscareer.Buthewasn’tgettingtheattentionofScottieScheffler,XanderSchauffeleorBrysonDeChambeau.Washebeingslepton?
“No,”hetoldme,withadrytone.“Imean,Ididn’twin.”
Somegolfersjudgethemselvesbythecomposite,valuingconsistentplayandqualityoftheirgolfday-to-day.Theymakeawholelotofmoney,rackupnicefinishesandmakeittoAtlantaeveryyear.Andtherearethecompetitorswhohaveadifferentsetofstandards.
“Formeitwasasolidyear,”Morikawacontinued,“butitcomesdowntothewins,andthat’swhatwe’refocusedon.”