Collin Morikawa is hoping to take inspiration from the greats of the game as he looks for a first win of 2022 and third Major victory at the U.S. Open Championship.
The reigning European Number One has been on an upward trajectory ever since turning professional, winning once in 2019, twice in 2021 and three times in 2022.
Those remarkably high standards make seven months without a victory seem a major drought, with Morikawa last lifting a trophy as he won the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, in the process becoming the first American to claim the Harry Vardon Trophy for topping the season-long standings.
But he is certain that he will emerge a better player and has been looking to learn from the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
"I think just it's taught me a lot about what kind of player I am, right?" he said. "I want to be able to just play golf. I think the best players out here, it doesn't matter if it's good or bad, they're able to put the ball in the hole.
"I've been so worried about trying to hit this cut. Like, almost forcing a cut. Why not just play my miss or why not play my shot shape?
"I think that's what Rory, Tiger, all the greats before us, they just worked with what they got, and normally it is a cut, and normally when I'm playing worse, it's even more of a cut.
"But it just hasn't been that, and it's almost had a little draw shape to it. This week maybe we'll see a couple more draws or two-yard draws. That's what I call a draw. Just play golf.
"I think it's been frustrating because all the prep has felt really good this year. The results just haven't been there, but hopefully we can put it together for four good rounds and finish up this year on a high note."
That's what Rory, Tiger, all the greats before us, they just worked with what they got
It is almost incredible to think that Morikawa is playing just his tenth Major this week, with wins at The Open and US PGA Championships already under his belt.
His last appearances at the Masters Tournament and U.S. Open also brought top fives in those events, and the 25-year-old feels confident he has the game for a U.S. Open set-up at The Country Club, Brookline this week.
"Thankfully now I've been able to play at every Major and have had decent success and been able to post a low number and I think that is huge for my confidence," he said.
"Winged Foot, I missed the cut, didn't play well. Pebble I was just grinding. That was my first or my second event as a pro.
"When it comes down to it, I think last year was very, very beneficial for the future of my U.S. Opens, not thinking I have to hit it far just to win. I think now it just gave me the confidence that I can come out here and win."
