Morikawa's Grin and Honest Reaction

In a stunning display of golf brilliance, Collin Morikawa left everything on the course but still found himself outshined by Hideki Matsuyama's extraordinary performance at The Sentry tournament held at Kapalua.

“Excuse my language, but f---,” Morikawa exclaimed with a wide grin, fully aware of the monumental task at hand. Despite delivering the fourth-best 72-hole performance in PGA Tour history, finishing at an impressive 32-under-par, Morikawa fell three shots short of the new record set by Matsuyama, who finished at a remarkable 35-under-par. This performance secured Matsuyama the title and marked his name in the history books.

Matsuyama's Historic Finish

Matsuyama was in remarkable form, matching Morikawa’s stunning 11-under 62 on Saturday before carding a 65 in the final round. The conditions at the Plantation Course were nearly perfect, allowing for seven of the Tour’s previous eight 30-under or better performances to shine through. Matsuyama’s final round featured a jaw-dropping eagle from 107 yards at the par-4 third hole, alongside seven birdies, bringing his total for the tournament to an astounding 35 birdies or better—a new record on the Tour.

Morikawa's Take on the Competition

Morikawa remarked, “35 under par, that’s low. I mean, he was matching me yesterday shot for shot, and I felt like I was playing lights out, right? If you shoot 11 under on any course, you should be thrilled. But today, he just never let up." He acknowledged the intensity of Matsuyama's play and admitted that maintaining such a high standard for all 72 holes is critical in championship conditions.

Reflections on Previous Rounds

This wasn't the first time Morikawa experienced close finishes at Kapalua; he has twice found himself in the runner-up position. His previous near-miss was particularly bitter, having led by six shots going into the final round before Jon Rahm overtook him with a stellar 63.

Looking Ahead: Optimistic Outlook

Reflecting on this latest outing, Morikawa took the loss in stride. “It’s a little better than two years ago, right? I knew I had to shoot better today, and the truth is, I’m just glad to have performed well,” he said. While contemplating the difficulty of the task, he reminded reporters that only one player, Justin Thomas, managed to shoot a 10-under on the same day, and that was not enough to contend with Matsuyama's phenomenal pace.

Looking ahead, Morikawa hopes to build on his strong play as he prepares for the upcoming Pebble Beach tournament in a few weeks. With an optimistic outlook, he stated, “We’re going to go on a roll pretty soon. It’s just hopefully sooner rather than later.”

Anticipation for Future Performances

Fans and fellow golfers eagerly await what Morikawa will bring to the next tournament, and whether he can deliver an unforgettable performance that could rival Matsuyama’s record-setting display at Kapalua.