"It's Been A Dream My Entire Life" - Morikawa On World No.1 Spot
The American could reach the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking this week
Collin Morikawa once again has the chance to reach the World No.1 position this week after throwing away a five shot lead in his last start at December's Hero World Challenge. The American has been one of the world's best players from the moment he turned professional in June 2019 where he has gone on to win both the PGA and Open Championships in his debuts, a World Golf Championship and also became the first American winner of the Race to Dubai in November.
Morikawa would become just the fourth player to become men's world number one before turning 25, joining Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth. The Californian described the prospect of becoming the world's top male golfer as "a dream" he has had his entire life.
"Yeah, look, it's been a dream my entire life to get to No. 1 in the world, but it's not just about getting to No. 1 it's about sustaining that," he said ahead of this week's Sentry Tournament of Champions. "Having the opportunity to, obviously having an opportunity here, it's all in my control, all I can do is try and win the tournament and that's all I'm going to focus on. But it's a huge goal, it always has been and it means something that when you do get there it means you're doing something right or at least a good amount of things right.
"It's just about continuing that process and it's not like that's a peak just, I get to No. 1 and I can go retire and relax on the beach, like there are still so much things that I'm going to keep pushing myself when that, if or when that does happen. So for me it's just every week go out and try and win and we'll see what happens from there.
There are a number scenarios that could see Morikawa overtake Jon Rahm this week in Hawaii, although he must finish inside the top three. Should he win, for example, Rahm would have to finish second alone, while a solo second for Morikawa would mean the Spaniard can do no worse than a two-way tie for fifth.
For a full breakdown, check out the tweet below:
🚨No.1 watch @Sentry_TOC @JonRahmpga needs to win or to finish solo 2nd to stay at No.1 regardless of other results.If he doesn't do that, then @collin_morikawa will have five scenarios to become #OWGR No.1 for the first time... pic.twitter.com/JR2GIPmWLSJanuary 3, 2022
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Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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