Collin Morikawa Claims Victory at Pebble Beach with Final Hole Birdie

Collin Morikawa secured a thrilling victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on February 4, 2024, marking his first tournament win since 2023. The golfer clinched the title with a crucial birdie on the final hole, overcoming a strong challenge from Scottie Scheffler and a lengthy wait on the 18th fairway. Morikawa’s meticulous approach enabled him to navigate the challenging conditions, ultimately sealing the win with a two-putt from the fringe of the green.

Morikawa attributed his success to self-belief, stating, “I kept believing in myself. At the beginning of the week, this didn’t feel possible.” He added that during the agonizing 20-minute wait on the 18th, he tried to focus on the scenery rather than the shot ahead. His confidence surged after a remarkable round of 62 on Saturday, where he hit every green in regulation despite gusty winds.

Entering the final round, Morikawa was two shots behind overnight leader Akshay Bhatia, who struggled to maintain his momentum. While Bhatia’s challenge faded, Morikawa displayed resilience, finishing the front nine at two-under par. He gained the lead with back-to-back birdies on holes 15 and 16, before experiencing a setback at the par-three 17th, where he recorded a bogey.

As Morikawa approached the 18th tee, he found himself tied for the lead with Min Woo Lee, who had birdied the final two holes to reach a score of 21 under par. The tension mounted as Jacob Bridgeman, in the group ahead, encountered a significant delay after hitting his shot into a precarious position. After an extended wait of 19 minutes, Bridgeman managed to complete his hole with a bogey, allowing Morikawa to finally take his shot.

Scottie Scheffler, who began the day eight shots off the lead, showcased an impressive performance. He started with a birdie-eagle-birdie sequence before continuing his ascent with another eagle at the next par-five. By the time he reached the 14th hole, Scheffler had taken the solo lead, carrying his momentum forward. However, a bogey on the 15th brought him back down to earth.

With Morikawa trailing by one shot as he teed off on the final hole, Scheffler played a perfect closing hole, setting up a three-foot putt for his third eagle of the day. He finished with a score of 63, which included three bogeys.

Shane Lowry also made a late push, finishing with a round of 67 that featured birdies on holes 11, 14, 15, and 16. Despite needing an eagle on the final hole to tie Scheffler, his hopes were dashed when he found a bunker with his approach shot. A close putt for birdie did not find the hole, leaving Lowry in a tie for eighth, four shots behind Morikawa.

Rory McIlroy concluded a mixed week with a bogey-free 64, finishing tied for 14th place, just one shot behind Lowry. Reflecting on his performance, he noted, “Even if you turn those three doubles into bogeys and that triple into a bogey, that’s five shots, and all of a sudden, you’re looking at having a three-shot lead.” Despite earlier setbacks, McIlroy felt encouraged heading into the next tournament.

The next event on the PGA Tour is the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, where players will look to capitalize on their recent performances and continue their pursuit of success.