'Absolutely insane': Golf world erupts over Collin Morikawa 'miracle'
Collin Morikawa has won his maiden major title in dramatic fashion courtesy of a late surge to win the US PGA Championship in San Francisco.
The young American chipped in for birdie to break a seven-player stalemate atop the leaderboard before a stunning eagle catapulted Morikawa to a 64 and a 13-under-par total.
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England veteran Paul Casey (66 ) finished runner-up at 11 under, while Australian Jason Day (66), Matthew Wolff (65), Bryson DeChambeau (66) and Tony Finau (66) were tied third.
The 23-year-old fired a final-round 64 to win his debut major in his maiden appearance with a performance as steady as you’ll ever see.
He outlasted six different players who were tied with him at the top of the leaderboard.
He unleashed the shot of a lifetime to put distance between himself and the field and remained smooth and steady as he finished out the two most important holes of his life.
The American sealed the victory when he chipped in for an insane birdie on 14, before unleashing the tee shot of his life on 16 to set up an eagle.
Morikawa’s tee shot sailed straight onto the green and left him with an easy putt to open up a lead that he would not relinquish.
Morikawa joins an illustrious group of golf greats to have won a major before the age of 24 including Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Rory McIlroy.
It’s his third US PGA Tour victory since he made his professional debut in June last year.
Fans in shock over Collin Morikawa ‘miracle’
Fans flocked to social media in awe of the “miracle” shots.
Morikawa’s drive on 16 was INSANE. What an awesome moment for the 23 year old. #PGAChampionship
— Ben White (@speedofwhite) August 10, 2020
That shot on 16 was unreal by Morikawa. Hard not to think what it would have been like with fans but either way that’s an insane performance by him
— Hunter Peirson (@hunter_peirson) August 10, 2020
Absolutely insane final round at the PGA. That shot tee shot on 16 will be talked about for a long time. 23 years old and on top of the golf world. Incredible @collin_morikawa
— John Foran (@JForan76) August 10, 2020
Collin Morikawa just has cruise in for the WIN after a couple miracle 🙌 shots...😱wow‼️
— Coach Homer (@homoreno723) August 10, 2020
Shot. Of. His. Life.
— Alex Gam (@AlexGam2013) August 10, 2020
What a way to end it. It’s been coming from him tho, his numbers are mind blowing
— R.N.S (@RickyF_18) August 10, 2020
Overnight leader Dustin Johnson tried to fight his way back, chipping in from the fringe at 16, but he had only two holes left to make up three strokes, a gap he couldn’t close.
That left Morikawa alone at the top, one of the youngest major winners in golf history.
He was all of two months old when Tiger Woods won his first major, at Augusta.
And now he’s setting out on a journey that looks incredibly bright.
Jason Day’s late surge falls short
Day was struggling on the front side before a birdie at the 10th and a 40-foot birdie at the 11th lifted his spirits.
He had a birdie putt lip around the edge of the cup at the 14th hole and fall miraculously in the hole to keep his title hopes alive - but he still came up short.
Day's countryman Adam Scott picked up two shots with a final round 68 and he finished the first major of 2020 at a respectable four under for the championship.
Cameron Smith rounded out the Australian contingent and a closing 70 gave the Queenslander an even-par total.
Woods signed off in style when a 67 improved his tally to one under for the championship
He mixed five birdies with two bogeys for his lowest round of the week in just his fourth tournament of 2020, but finished a dozen shots off the pace.
with AAP and Yahoo Sports US
