Collin Morikawa Beats Justin Thomas in Playoff to Win Workday Charity Open

Redemption is sweet.

After his devastating loss a few weeks ago in a playoff to Daniel Berger, Collin Morikawa beats Justin Thomas in a playoff to win the Workday Charity Open. 

The first playoff hole started with both players finding trouble left of the fairway. Collin put his to 25 ft behind the hole, and JT found the very back of the green 50 feet away. He then BURIED it, seemingly for the win. Collin then, with ice in his veins, buried his birdie bid to extend the playoff.

I mean, enjoy these putts.

5️⃣0️⃣ FEET!@JustinThomas34 with an UNBELIEVABLE birdie on the first playoff hole.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/T6iuNZrcxH

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020

And how about this answer?

WOW.@Collin_Morikawa with a MUST-MAKE putt to extend the playoff.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/RSYdWRI1sA

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020

Both players found the fairway on the second playoff hole, with Collin nearly 30 yards ahead of JT (Collin hit driver, Justin 3 Wood). JT nearly holed his second on the fly, and left himself 9 feet down the hill. Collin pulled his second to the left side of the green to 21 feet. Collin left his bid just short, an inch short. Justin Thomas, with nearly the same putt he missed at the end of regulation, missed again to the right of the cup. After two playings of the 18th, they headed to the 10th. 

Justin Thomas leaked his tee shot down 10 to the right rough, directly behind a tree. Collin played his bleeding cut to perfection finding the left side of the fairway. Morikawa was first to play, and stuck a 8 iron to 9 feet behind the pin. JT had to chip out to the fairway, and gave himself a wedge into the green. A subpar wedge would leave JT with 14 feet for par. A must-make for JT, and it lipped out. Collin then had 2 putts for the win, and lagged his birdie bid to tap-in range.

Another clutch approach from @Collin_Morikawa.

He has 9 feet for birdie.
JT has 14 feet for par.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/dvSP8iqlsG

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020

After missing his first cut on Tour a few weeks ago at the Travelers, Collin comes back in the best way and earns his 2nd win on Tour. Now has more wins than missed cuts. 

The often overlooked member of the Morikawa/Wolff class, is quickly moving out of that shadow. Viktor Hovland started quick Sunday, birdieing 3 of his first 5 holes and grabbed a share of the lead. Like Morikawa, Hovland is a premium ball striker, and doesn’t miss many fairways with his go-to cut (hit 75% of fairways this week). After the quick start, he slowed down, and couldn’t keep up with JT and Collin. Hovland has shown he’s in good form since returning from break, making all 5 cuts, and is on track to grab his second win on Tour anytime now. 

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After the infamous steroid tweet about Bryson, Brooks failed to back it up with his play. He got hot late Friday, but it wasn’t enough to make the cut. He has announced his commitment to play in next week’s Memorial, and the Tour would be doing a disservice to fans if they didn’t put the two in the same group. 

We will be right back at Muirfield next week for the Memorial. 

PS. Tiger is back.

Cover Image Via PGA TOUR Media