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Morikawa “here to win” at Southern Hills
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Morikawa “here to win” at Southern Hills

Collin Morikawa has just one thing on his mind as he tees it up at this week's US PGA Championship, that is, lifting the Wanamaker Trophy for a second time.

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At just 25 years of age, the American has already enjoyed a remarkable career, winning two Major Championships, a World Golf Championships title and adding a maiden Rolex Series crown at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai last November to finish top of the Rankings on this side of the Atlantic.

While even the best of players would hardly consider six months without a victory a drought, Morikawa insists it has "been a while" since his November triumph in the desert, and he is eager to clock up DP World Tour win number five at Southern Hills Country Club.

Collin Morikawa-1355299925

"Luckily I've been fortunate to have it (winning) happen a handful of times since I've turned pro, you just really embrace that," he said. "You feel how lucky you are and all the hard work and you really feel that emotion that comes up when you finish.

"You know what, it's been a while. Hopefully I can get back to that mentality and get back to that state of let's just go out to win. We're here to win.

"The pressure is always there because this is what we love to do. You feel that pressure because you want to win - I wouldn't say there's more (this week), I wouldn't say there's less.

"Thankfully I've been able to knock off two (Majors) and not have these questions about when you're going to win one. For me it's let's go win another tournament, let's go win this PGA Championship."

Collin Morikawa US PGA Championship-1264919638

As well as two Major victories, Morikawa has three other top tens from just nine appearances and is already a Ryder Cup winner and two-time champion on the PGA TOUR, outside of his Major and WGC wins.

And while he admits he is currently working hard on his putting, he has adopted a slightly new approach to tournament weeks since last month's Masters.

"I think at the beginning of the year I was trying to do a lot," he said. "I was trying to do too much in my prep Monday through Wednesday, even at regular events.

"That's not me. I like to be in and out. I like to come here, do my quick practice, get out and call it a day. I'd rather sit on my couch at home and relax with the cat and the dog and caddie. That's what I've kind of realised since the Masters, just stick to being me."

I was trying to do too much in my prep Monday through Wednesday, even at regular events.

While Morikawa is eager to be himself, the Californian has no qualms with learning from those around him, even describing himself as a "silent hunter" as he looks for constant improvements.

"I don't really go and ask and just like chirp and bother these guys," he said. "I kind of just watch from afar, which sounds really creepy when I say it.

"But that's what I do. Xander Schauffele has moved out to Vegas and we've just started playing a bunch together. A couple weeks ago we were playing 18 holes and you just kind of grasp and you watch how other people do it.

"It doesn't have to be Xander, it could be any guy. I've got a lot of guys in Vegas, out here there is a bunch of guys. When you play on team events like the Ryder Cup you just watch, and there's so much knowledge there that if you just sit back and actually listen, you can gain so much and learn so much about what they do and what makes them so great.

"That doesn't mean I'm going to copy them because, at the end of the day, there's no way for me to copy what they do because they have completely different feels. What they tell me might not be exactly what they feel. It's just about piecing a lot of things together and making yourself think in a different way."

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