Morikawa fires a 63 for his first victory in 27 months
American Colin Morikawa called winning the Zozo Championship in Japan “incredible,” a special way to close the season for a player whose great grandparents emigrated from the country.
But more important was a victory — anywhere, any victory — after a 27-month winless streak on the PGA Tour that started prompting questions about his game.
He broke through Sunday with a 7-under par 63 for a six-shot victory at the Narashino Country Club just outside Tokyo.
“It feels so good, I can't even explain it,” Morikawa said of his sixth PGA Tour win. “I knew I was going to get here at some point. It's like getting your first win, your first major.”
Americans Beau Hossler and Eric Cole were in second, six back with closinground 70s.
Morikawa started two shots behind 54-hole leader Justin Suh, who faded badly looking for his first PGA Tour win. He finished with a 74.
Morikawa had four birdies on the front nine, consistently hit fairways, and kept pulling away with three more on the back nine
“The putter got hot, which is really nice,” he said. “I haven't had that in quite some time.”.
LIV Golf
Anirban Lahiri shot a 7-under 65 and Bryson DeChambeau delivered the theatrics on the back nine of the Blue Monster to lead the Crushers to a two-shot victory over the RangeGoats in the LIV Golf team championship at Trump Doral.
The scores from all four players on every team counted in the final event of LIV Golf's second season, and the Crushers were in control for almost all of the back nine, and led by four shots as the final group reached the 18th hole.
DeChambeau shot 67,
Charles Howell III had a 72 and Paul Casey a 73.
Talor Gooch, who won the individual points title this season, had 70.
LPGA Tour
Minjee Lee weathered a late rally by Alison Lee and eventually beat her on the first playoff hole and win the BMW Ladies Championship.
Minjee Lee closed with a 4-under 68 and Alison Lee had a 67 at Seowon Valley as both players finished at 16-under 272.
On the par-4 18th in the playoff, the Australian made birdie for the win.
She won for the 10th time on the LPGA Tour and picked up her second victory in her last three starts.
PGA Tour Champions
Harrison Frazar won his first Champions title when he birdied the 18th hole for a 3-under 69 to force a playoff with Richard Green, and then made an 8-foot birdie on the first extra hole at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.
Frazar wasn't the only winner. Steve Stricker clinched his first Charles Schwab Cup title with two postseason events still to be played, even though he skipped the tournament.
Green also closed with a 69, helped by a 10-foot par putt on the 15th and an 8-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole. But he failed to birdie the 516-yard closing hole, opening the door for Frazar.
DP World Tour
Adrian Meronk won for the third time this season on the tour, closing with a 6-under 66 for a one-shot victory in the Andalucia Masters.
Meronk, disappointed in being left off the Ryder Cup team despite one of his victories coming at Marco Simone, overcame two bogeys in his opening three holes to rally at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.
He won by won by one shot over Matti Schmid (71).