As if 2020 wasn't already a year to remember professionally for Collin Morikawa, the US PGA Championship winner is aiming to round it off by becoming European No 1.
Somewhat strangely, he could collect that honour come the close of his first regular European Tour event.
With one stop on the calendar to go, Morikawa enters this week’s DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) third in the Race to Dubai. Thus, victory at the season finale – his UAE debut – would seal not one, but two premier prizes come Sunday.
Not bad for a 23-year-old American, albeit one whose precocious talent has returned three professional wins, and taken him in August to a first major title and to No 4 in the world rankings (he’s now seventh).
Even given all that, adding the Order of Merit crown would surely rank as another remarkable feat for the young gun with the gleaming game.
“I've been looking forward to this trip and, though I didn't really make my decision for a while, it was on my radar,” Morikawa said via videoconference on Wednesday, a day out from the first round at JGE. “Obviously I've put myself in a really good position to close out 2020 on a great note. To be here and make this my first start on the European Tour means a lot.”
California-born and based out of Las Vegas, Morikawa only took up an affiliate membership of the European Tour in February, while he has visited the Old Continent just the two times: both in amateur competition.
“I've talked about bringing my game around to the entire world, and what better way to show it, the DP World Tour Championship?” Morikawa said. “All the best players are here throughout 2020 and everyone is here to win.
His two best-placed rivals for twin trophies this week are Patrick Reed, the Race leader, and Tommy Fleetwood, the 2017 champion who sits second.
“There's a lot in between now and Sunday that has to happen, but winning the Race to Dubai would mean a lot because I want my game to travel,” Morikawa said. “I want to be a world player, be able to bring my game anywhere, adapt to the different places I come to. And this is just the first step of doing that.”
_______________________________________________________________________
Jon Rahm wins 2019 DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai
-
Jon Rahm with the Race to Dubai trophy following his victory at the 2019 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Getty -
Jon Rahm after his victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. EPA -
Jon Rahm of Spain celebrates after his winning putt. Getty -
Jon Rahm celebrates after his birdie on the eighteenth. Getty -
Mike Lorenzo-Vera plays his second shot on the 18th. Getty -
Jon Rahm after his birdie on the 14th green. Getty -
Jon Rahm tees off on the 17th green. Getty -
Rory McIlroy plays his second shot on the 15th. Getty -
Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France plays a bunker shot on the 17th. Getty -
Tommy Fleetwood on the 18th green. Getty -
Jon Rahm with his caddie Adam Hayes walk up the 17th fairway. Getty -
Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy embrace on the 18th green. Getty -
Tommy Fleetwood heads to the the green on the 18th. Getty -
Jon Rahm lines-up a putt. AFP
_______________________________________________________________________
In more good news for UAE golf fans, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic forms another plot on that path. Morikawa, who finished tied-44th at last month’s Masters, has decided to contest next month’s event, not too far away from his current locale, at Emirates Golf Club.
“I signed up for [European Tour] membership for next year already because I want to play out here,” he said. “There's a bunch of guys I've never met. I've seen them on TV and think they’re wonderful players, and there's a couple guys that I've seen longer than I have on the PGA Tour.
"I've grown up playing with Sam Horsfield and Sean Crocker my entire life, so it's good to see a couple guys play really well, make it out here. We all got here through some different way.
"I'm very thankful for the path that I've taken so far, but this week means a lot. It's a big week. I came here after some good rest after the Masters and really prepped, fresh mind and looking forward to the week.”
Land the season-long title, and Morikawa would create another slice of history: he’d become the first American to be Europe’s No 1.
“It would mean a lot, but I don't think that would mean the most,” he said. “I think winning the Race to Dubai would mean a lot for my career, for myself.”
