Collin Morikawa, the golf prodigy, is back in the spotlight as he prepares for the Genesis Invitational at the iconic Riviera Country Club. Recently, Morikawa ended a painful 28-month winless streak on the PGA Tour by clinching the title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Now, the 29-year-old Los Angeles native is determined to turn that victory into a winning streak in his hometown.
Morikawa’s win at Pebble Beach not only rejuvenated his career but also repositioned him among the best golfers in the world. With a game that particularly shines in his iron play, Morikawa appears to be in an ideal position to excel at Riviera. However, he is aware that he faces significant challenges.
During a press conference, Morikawa was asked how he approaches strategy on each course before tournaments. He was clear: “I’ve always done this on my own. It’s me and my caddie, Mark. We’ve been doing this our whole lives. I know a lot of statistics come into play, but they don’t capture what you see and how you perceive certain shots.”
He continued to explain that the weather conditions and the state of the greens can influence his game in unexpected ways. “Tomorrow will be very interesting with the rain and the wind. In the last few days, I’ve been hitting 5-irons that come back, even a 3-wood. That’s not normal here. Some pin locations require that when you hit the fairway, you don’t play defensively, but instead aim for a 30-foot putt,” Morikawa stated.
With a ranking of 136th in driving distance during the 2025 season, Morikawa has been working to increase his ball speed, but he is still considered a player who is more towards the middle of the pack. Riviera promises to be a long course this week, especially due to the amount of rain it has received. One hole, in particular, has generated controversy and discontent among the players.
Rory McIlroy, one of the most respected names in golf, expressed his frustration over a change made to the course since the last time the Genesis was held in 2024. “I don’t think hole 4 plays any differently, you’re just using a slightly longer club. Personally, I think it’s a horrible change,” McIlroy criticized.
He pointed out that “about 15% of the field hit the green the last time it was played at 230 yards. If you want it to be a par-3 at 275 yards, you need to change the grass leading to the green. It can’t be kikuyu; it should be a type of grass that helps the ball run onto the green.”
McIlroy’s indignation reflects a common sentiment among players, who are concerned about the additional difficulty that this change brings to the course. Throughout the week, it will be fascinating to observe how this specific hole behaves and whether the conditions of the fairway and greens stabilize as the tournament progresses.
With Morikawa determined to prove that his victory was not just a fluke and McIlroy criticizing the changes that may affect player performance, the Genesis Invitational promises to be a spectacle filled with tension and drama. Golf enthusiasts should stay tuned, as emotions will be running high in the upcoming rounds!
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