Collin Morikawa explains exactly what’s going wrong for him at the Olympics, it’s ‘really bad’
Collin Morikawa explains exactly what’s going wrong for him at the Olympics, it’s ‘really bad’
Collin Morikawa, currently ranked 19th in the 2024 Olympic golf event taking place at Le Golf National in Paris, is clearly dissatisfied with his performance. As one of the top players globally, being positioned at this level is not where he expected to be. The world number six has found himself struggling, particularly in comparison to the frontrunners of the tournament.
Leading the event are Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama, and Tommy Fleetwood, each with a commanding score of 11 under par after two rounds of play. Their performance has set a high bar, particularly at Le Golf National, a venue well known for its challenging layout from the 2018 Ryder Cup. Jon Rahm, a standout player from Friday’s rounds, holds a strong position in solo fourth place, further intensifying the competition.
Morikawa, who began the tournament with a first-round score of 70, was hopeful for a strong start. His optimism was bolstered by a solid two-under par on the front nine of his second round. However, his progress was hindered by a less effective back nine, where he managed only one birdie. This left the two-time major champion significantly out of contention, trailing seven shots behind the leaders with two rounds remaining.
In a post-round interview, Morikawa expressed his frustration, particularly with his putting performance. “I’m just not reading the putts well out here, and speed has been a little off,” Morikawa explained. “It’s frustrating when you’re not hitting it as good as I’d like. But look, I’ve got two more days, seven back. So you know, you’re not out of it. The way this whole format works, you’re fighting for three spots.” This candid admission highlights his current struggle with the greens at Le Golf National, a crucial aspect of his game that he has yet to master in this tournament.
Morikawa also mentioned the possibility of adjusting his strategy if his performance does not improve. “Come tomorrow, at a certain point, if things aren’t really clicking, you might have to just be a little bit more aggressive,” he said. “Hopefully, things will pay off, and if they don’t, they don’t.” This potential shift in approach underscores the urgency Morikawa feels to turn his game around and make a move up the leaderboard.
Prior to the tournament, Morikawa had predicted low scores, and his current situation has him reflecting on missed opportunities, particularly on the par fives. “Yesterday, I was just in a bad mood and couldn’t get myself to focus as much as I should have,” he admitted. “Today, the process was a bit better. I pulled off a lot better shots, quality shots. Look, I’m just playing the par fives really badly. Those are three par fives that are very gettable and very birdieable, and I want to say I’m 1-under for the week, and that’s just not going to do it out here.” His struggles on these key holes have been a significant factor in his current position.
As the tournament progresses into the weekend, the race for a podium finish becomes increasingly intense. With the top players such as Schauffele, Rahm, Fleetwood, Tom Kim, and Scottie Scheffler all in contention, the final rounds promise to be highly competitive and thrilling. Achieving third place is enough to secure a medal, which adds a layer of excitement and urgency to the weekend’s play.
The Olympic golf event, with its high-profile participants and compelling leaderboard dynamics, is poised to deliver a memorable conclusion. The organizers are undoubtedly hoping for a dramatic and engaging finish, which would not only capture the attention of global audiences but also contribute to growing interest and participation in the sport. Given the impressive scoring performances through the first two days, the weekend’s play is expected to be an exhilarating display of top-tier golf, with players giving their all to secure the prestigious Olympic title.
