Morikawa keeps momentum going at John Deere Classic

SILVIS, Ill. – After tying for second and watching friend Matthew Wolff capture his first PGA TOUR title at the 3M Open in Minnesota, Collin Morikawa came to the John Deere Classic more certain than ever that he could win.

After shooting a bogey-free 65 on Saturday to reach 12-under-par and get within shouting distance of the leaders with just 18 holes remaining, he is close to turning those feelings of readiness into reality.

“I know Matt pretty well,” Morikawa said coming into the Deere. “I know Cameron Champ pretty well. Obviously, (they) won pretty quickly. I think it does help to know that we can go and our games have translated, but I think I've already proven to myself that I can come out here and play with these guys.”

Morikawa, who spent three weeks as the world’s No. 1-ranked amateur in 2018, is making just his sixth TOUR start as a pro. He has now shot in the 60s in 10 of his last 12 rounds, and under par in 11 of his last 12. He earned Special Temporary Membership on TOUR with his T2 at the 3M, meaning he can accept unlimited sponsor exemptions, but is still trying to secure his full status.

“I mean, it's a cool feeling being a part-time PGA TOUR member,” he said. “But, obviously, the goal coming into this summer was to earn a full card for next year. We're almost there.”

As with Wolff, Morikawa turned pro with big expectations. He was only 19 and still an amateur when he contended in the 2016 Air Capital Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, dazzling with rounds of 63-63 on the weekend. So far, his play on the PGA TOUR has been more of the same.

He finished T14 at the RBC Canadian Open, T35 at the U.S. Open, and T36 at the Travelers Championship before his near-miss at the 3M, where he birdied six holes on his inward nine on Sunday.

The former Cal Bears golfer has enjoyed another great ball-striking week at TPC Deere Run, and was third in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green as the leaders toured the course Saturday afternoon. Only his short game has held him back in the Quad Cities; he was 68th in SG: Putting.

“It's been like that kind of throughout this entire summer,” Morikawa said after his third round. “I'm still kind of working on some putting things, but I'm hitting some good lines on my putts, and obviously when I get them close, I'm able to drop a few, so we've just got to keep that up for tomorrow and, obviously, (get) a few more drop outside of that.”