Collin Morikawa secured victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, breaking a winless drought that lasted over two years since his 2023 Zozo Championship triumph. The win highlighted his return to simple, creative play reminiscent of his youth. Meanwhile, other golfers like Scottie Scheffler and Anthony Kim demonstrated resilience in overcoming their respective challenges.
Collin Morikawa's success at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am marked a significant milestone after more than two years without a win, following his last victory at the 2023 Zozo Championship. In reflecting on his approach, Morikawa emphasized rediscovering the joy and creativity of golf from his early days. "I think I’ve been trying to make golf so perfect trying to hit these shots and trying to make these putts in a certain way," he said Sunday, noting how he shifted to just playing the game. He recalled growing up on Chevy Chase, playing casual rounds by dropping balls, and credited this mindset for his performance over the final days. Even after a bogey on the fifth hole, Morikawa felt exhilarated in contention, telling himself to execute shots without overthinking conditions like wind or rain.
This victory aligns with broader themes of resilience seen in recent golf events. Scottie Scheffler, for instance, navigated slow starts across multiple tournaments. At the WM Phoenix Open two weeks prior, he opened with a 73 but tied for third. Last week at Pebble Beach, a first-round 72 led to a tie for fourth, and at the ongoing Genesis Invitational, he started with a 74 before rebounding with a 68 in the second round. Scheffler attributed his consistency to staying calm: "I’m very proud of sticking with it, not giving up even when I felt like things were going against me this week. Just kept fighting."
Similarly, Anthony Kim ended a 12-year absence from professional golf, returning in 2024 with his last win dating to 2010. He claimed victory on Sunday at LIV Golf's Adelaide event. His swing coach, Matt Killen, described their preparation, focusing on letting athletic instincts take over rather than complex thoughts. Ahead of a crucial January event, they discussed straightforward execution: "You’ve got to play golf."
These stories underscore how top players respond to setbacks, drawing from sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella's idea that golf involves mistakes and success lies in recovery.
