Scottie Scheffler started off his 2025 season late with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am due to a wrist injury. While he did finish with a T9 at the event, we all know that was not his best performance. The World No. 1’s form was demonstrated at the WM Phoenix Open (T25) and he almost made a comeback at the Genesis Invitational (T3). But looks like it has once again dropped this week, with three rounds of 70 at the Bay Hill. While he is currently tied for T13 on the leaderboard, a contender is putting up a tough fight against him.
Collin Morikawa is back in the mix for his first PGA Tour win since 2023 after an impressive second-round performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The former Cal golfer played a flawless round, with four birdies and no bogeys, finishing the day at 4-under 68. This leaves him at 5-under for the tournament, tied for third with Corey Conners. The player is just one shot behind second-place Wyndham Clark and three behind the leader, Shane Lowry, who also shot 5-under on Friday and now sits at 8-under heading into Saturday’s third round.
At 28, Morikawa is ranked fifth globally and has already won six PGA Tour titles, including two major championships. However, he is still looking for his first victory since claiming the 2023 Zozo Championship. Morikawa is poised to make a run for the title with a strong performance so far. When asked about his performance at the post-round presser, he said, “It’s been a while since I’ve hit my irons like this, it honestly has. Just start lines, amount of cut, we’re looking back to 2021, essentially.”
In his last four appearances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Collin Morikawa has averaged a score of 2-over par, with an average finish of 37th place. In 2024, he missed the cut after posting a 6-over score. “I think I’ve missed the cut the past two years. I’ve kind of come to this event not playing great previously, and it’s a course that if you’re not playing great it’s going to show. It’s just one of those that you can’t fake it. But this was one of my first professional starts as an amateur, I played in 2017, and I love the golf course,” he added.
Morikawa did not start very well. He posted a 71 in the opening round. Gradually he went for a 68 on Friday and then a 67 on Saturday, and that was what brought him to the top. “ I thought it was great, played well, made the cut. I thought I would play well out here. Hasn’t been the case. But it also hasn’t been the case that I’ve come feeling ready and needing the game. On a course like this you just have to have complete control of your golf ball, so that’s what it’s going to take tomorrow,” said Morikawa.
While he is indeed in his best form, the Bay Hill has not failed to put him up with a challenging fight. It has indeed lived up to its name this season as well.
Collin Morikawa confesses about not wanting to play at the Bay Hill every weekend
Collin Morikawa shared his thoughts on the Bay Hill course after his second-round performance. The world number five said, “I wouldn’t want to play it every week, but I do like these difficult golf courses because they challenge you.” He went on to explain that courses like Bay Hill are rewarding when you’re in control of your game, but can be tough when you’re not. “They’re obviously great to play when you’re in control of your golf ball. It sucks when you’re not,” he added.
Morikawa also compared Bay Hill to major championships and The Players, saying, “You just have to be on, and you can’t go into it assuming it’s going to be easy and you’re just going to cruise through.” He made it clear that there’s no room for complacency, noting, “There’s no cruising this week; it’s only going to get tougher, so we just got to be ready for that.” As Morikawa looks ahead to the weekend, he knows the challenge at Bay Hill will only intensify. Do you think he will finally be able to grab a win on Sunday after 2023? Stay tuned to find out!
The post With Scottie Scheffler a Long Way From His Desired Form, Collin Morikawa Sends Clear Message at Bay Hill: ‘Been a While…’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.
