'YOU CAN'T SCRIPT IT ANY BETTER'

Collin Morikawa tells David Facey about his debut Open triumph and his hopes for a repeat

- David Facey

Collin Morikawa knew exactly how special it felt to be an Open Champion before he had even hit a ball in anger at Royal St George's - or indeed any other Open venue. Morikawa was approached by an R&A official the day before he was due to make his debut appearance in the game's oldest Major Championship and asked if he would mind acting like a winner-in-waiting. Whoever made that call must have had a crystal ball. Just four days later Morikawa was hoisting the Claret Jug aloft, after becoming the only golfer to win two Majors at the first attempt. He previously achieved that feat at the 2020 US PGA Championship, but says the odd tale of coincidence surrounding his Open triumph still makes him smile to this day.

The likeable Californian explains: "That incredible sensation of winning the Open, of walking down the 18th knowing it is in your hands, that was something I actually got to practise. I was playing a practice round on Wednesday with Will Zalatoris, and a few of the security people came up to us on the tee and said they wanted to do a drill, and would we mind acting like we were taking a victory walk down 18. Of course, come Sunday, I'm doing the exact same thing. Thinking back, that was such a cool moment. It always will be."

There have been plenty more 'cool moments' to reflect on as the reigning Open Champion, even though he has been far less free and easy about where he takes the Claret Jug - and how many exotic beverages are drunk out of it than most recent winners. "I think anytime you're defending a tournament, it's always special, right? You're coming back as the previous champion. You just know that you've done it before," he says.