SO GLAD I CAN COLLONDUSTIN

COLLIN MORIKAWA thanked Dustin Johnson for easing him into the Ryder Cup cauldron.

The Open champion enjoyed a perfect start to his career in the event with a first-day foursomes win over Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland.

Morikawa and Johnson overcame a front-nine deficit to chalk up a valuable point for the Americans with a superb showing.

The two-time Major winner was right at home at Whistling Straits and says that was down to having the oldest and mosttalented player in the US team by his side.

Morikawa said: “Dustin has been one of the best players in the world for a long time.

“To have someone like that in my first match in The Ryder Cup, I trust him a lot and it felt very comfortable.

“Thankfully I’ve been able to build a friendship with him and it’s very easy-going. We are out there playing like it was just another day trying to win and we just found a little groove.”

Morikawa was among six of Steve Strciker’s rookies tasting the experience of an opening tee shot at a Ryder Cup for the first time.

But the 24-year-old took it all in his stride, even if he didn’t take dead aim with the first blow.

Morikawa said: “I’ll be honest but I was actually more nervous at the Walker Cup, which is crazy.

“Obviously I’ve been able to play in a few big events so far the past couple years but I just loved it.

“It was so fun, every part of it. Obviously, I tugged it a little bit and I wish I had hit the fairway, but it worked out.

“You are never going to get one again, so I’m going to remember that one forever.”