Casey comes close but Morikawa tops it off
PAUL CASEY said he was delighted to have his “mojo back”, despite falling two shots short of securing his maiden Major title on a thrilling final day at the US PGA Championship.
Casey shot a final-round 66, including just one bogey, to finish tied second with Dustin
Johnson on 11 under par as 23-year-old Collin Morikawa came through a crowded field to win at Harding Park, which is just 20 miles from where he went to college at Berkeley.
There were seven players tied for the lead at one stage on the back nine, but the inspired American ploughed on, scoring a stunning 64 to equal the lowest-ever final round by a
US PGA winner. England’s wait for a champion in the event stretches back 101 years, but Casey, who is 20 years older than rising star Morikawa, was delighted with his best-ever finish at a Major.
“I played wonderful golf, simple as that,” said Casey. “I have nothing to say other than I
played great golf this week. It’s been a strange week, obviously, without the fans, but I’m very happy with how I played. I had a great attitude and stayed calm, but it wasn’t enough.
But I’m very happy with everything. I’ve kind of got my mojo back!”
Morikawa has more Tour titles than missed cuts since emerging last year and came into the tournament in rare form, finishing second at the Charles Schwab Challenge in June and winning the Workday Charity Open last month. This was just his second Major and today he rose to a career-high fifth in the world rankings.
“It’s amazing,” said Morikawa. “As a little kid, watching all these professionals, this is always what I’ve wanted to do. I felt very comfortable from the start, as an amateur, junior golfer, turning professional last year. But to finally close it off and come out here in San Francisco, pretty much my second home where I spent the past four years, it’s pretty special.” Casey (left) was full of praise for the champion, whose only misstep was to lift the trophy with such vigour that the lid came off. “When he popped up on Tour we knew that he was something special and he’s proved it today,” he said.
Casey was the leading Briton, with Justin Rose tying for ninth, four shots off the lead, Ian Poulter tied 22nd and Tommy Fleetwood carding a fourth-round 73 to tie for 29th. Rory McIlroy’s 68 meant he finished 33rd.