Not only do World Golf Championships raise the blood pressure for the players, but competing at a course that has never hosted a PGA TOUR event adds even more stress. But it was no problem for Collin Morikawa in the end.
The 24-year-old Californian put on a ball-striking clinic at The Concession in Bradenton, Florida, to win the WGC-Workday Championship by three shots over Viktor Hovland, Brooks Koepka and Billy Horschel. It marked Morikawa’s fourth win on the PGA TOUR, which includes the PGA Championship and the Workday Charity Open last season. “It shows that I can come out here and compete,” Morikawa said.
“What a week. My game felt so good.” Morikawa became only the second player under 25 to win a World Golf Championships event and a major. The other is Tiger Woods. Morikawa also earned a hearty 550 FedExCup points and moved to No. 14th in the standings.
At the Puerto Rico Open, it was an emotional win for Branden Grace whose father Peter passed away from COVID-19 in late January. Grace, 32, went eagle-birdie on the final two holes to win by one shot over Jhonattan Vegas. After his eagle on the 17th hole, he pointed to the sky and later said his dad was looking down.
“I spoke with my mom this morning, and my wife told me my dad’s with me,” Grace said. “He’ll give me the guidance I need, and he did.” The South African earned 300 FedExCup points, a two-year TOUR exemption and picked up his first PGA TOUR win since the 2016 RBC Heritage.
Grace won the South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg on the European Tour last year.
