‘Unbelievable’: Rising golf star enters Tiger areas with playoff win featuring jaw-dropping clutch putt – Fox Sports

Morikawa, who had been the pacesetter through the first two rounds, rallied from three strokes down with three holes remaining to force the playoff at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
He then stayed alive by draining a 24-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole immediately after third-round leader Thomas had made a jaw-dropping 50-foot putt for birdie.
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Best back-to-back putts ever?
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The 23-year-old Morikawa finished the week at 19-under par 269 to win for the second time on the US PGA Tour.
Sundays win also makes up for a disappointing loss in another dramatic playoff finish at the Charles Schwab Challenge four weeks ago in the PGAs return from the COVID-19 calendar shutdown.
World number five Thomas was trying to win for the 13th time on the Tour, but he was undone on the final hole of the playoff after his tee shot on the par-four 10th sailed right and landed behind a tree.
Putting masterclass in Ohio
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Thomas closed with a 69 but that included two bogeys in his final three holes after beginning his round with a two-stroke lead over Viktor Hovland, with Morikawa three adrift.
I am pretty pissed off, it is the only way to explain it, Thomas said. I had a three-shot lead with three to go and completely handed it over.
Collin played great. He had a very tough hole at 17.
We both made two great birdies on the first playoff hole. I had two chances to win this thing in regulation and on the second playoff hole and I didnt get it done.
3 strokes down with 3 to play, Collin Morikawa stares down the dude that’s won the most over the last four years. What a wild ass Sunday.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) July 12, 2020
Morikawa just watched the No. 5 player in the world take a three-stroke lead into the final round, make 10 (!) one-putts in a row, twirl the dagger on 15 and take a three-stroke lead to the 16th tee and said, “Nah, we’re good here” in his 26th PGA Tour event. That’s unbelievable.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) July 12, 2020
Legend has it that Nicklaus grew up playing a fade because he wanted to hit it like Morikawa.
— Sean Martin (@PGATOURSMartin) July 12, 2020
So if Morikawa wins today, here will be the list of players with most wins on PGA Tour before 2nd missed cut as a pro since 1990
Tiger Woods 43Collin Morikawa 2
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) July 12, 2020
This weeks Workday Charity Open is the first of back-to-back events at the Jack Nicklaus designed Dublin, Ohio course. The Nicklaus-hosted Memorial will follow next week.
After rain, wind and lightning led to two suspensions on Friday, organisers decided to move the tee times up on Sunday to avoid any more weather delays.
Morikawa started Sundays round three shots back after opening with a 65 and 66 to seize lead the first and second round leads.
He quickly fought his way back to the top of the leaderboard with two birdies and an eagle in his first five holes.
He made three more birdies on the back nine including the par four 17. Morikawa used an eight iron to spin his approach shot to eight feet then made the putt and celebrated with a fist pump.
His only blemish came on the par-four 13th when he made bogey as he closed with a four-under 66.
The most dramatic moment of the round came on first playoff hole as both players rolled in massive putts for birdie.
Collin Morikawa of the United States celebrates with the winner’s trophy.Source: Getty Images
Thomas went first, making a 50-foot downhill putt for what appeared to be the victory. But Morikawa wasnt going anywhere. He stayed alive by draining his putt, from just inside 25 feet, to send it back to the 18th tee for a second playoff hole.
Morikawa sealed the win on the 75th hole, two putting on the green after Thomas missed the fairway off the tee and had to chip out from behind a small tree with his second shot.
The win was Morikawas second in just his 24th start as a pro. The Workday Charity Open became the first PGA event to lump its coronavirus positive players in the same grouping.
Dylan Frittelli, Nick Watney and Denny McCarthy, who continued to test positive for COVID-19 in the days leading up to the event, teed off together in Thursdays opening round. All eventually missed the cut.
The three remained in their own bubble, eating and resting in a cordoned off area underneath the old pro shop at the Muirfield Village Golf club.
They werent allowed to move freely around the clubhouse or enter the fitness area.gph/bb

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