Q: Can you describe what it is like to join the Rolex family, alongside the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth?
Collin Morikawa (CM): It is a legacy, an everlasting lifetime relationship that you become in joining a family – part of the Rolex family. Since joining, this is how I have felt from day one. Everyone at Rolex have made me feel very comfortable and welcomed, whether that is touring the Rolex factory or meeting the Rolex team. It has been an honor and privilege to meet everyone, and to be embraced with open arms into the heart of what Rolex represents.
Q: What are your overall thoughts about Rolex’s longstanding support of golf?
CM: As I am a professional golfer, I appreciate Rolex’s support and dedication to the game of golf, and it not just the support of the tournaments but investing in the overall aspect of what golf represents. Rolex’s support, whether that is seen or whether it occurs behind the scenes is very apparent, and you notice this at every Major. It is something special that is so appreciated amongst everyone within the Rolex family.
Q: As a multiple Major winner, what does it mean to you to be in the same company as fellow Testimonees and legends of the game such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson, and Tiger Woods?
CM: I would not place myself in the same category quite yet. Winning one Major is a hard target in itself, but having won two and hopefully many more to come remains a challenge. It is only a small category of people and that you are able to compare to, and to be able to talk within the same category. I remember two weeks after winning my first Major, Tiger came up to me and said “welcome to the Major Club”, and I got chills just from hearing that. Then winning another Major, The Open Championship in 2021, it places you in another club, and being part of this shared history, and the names that you will be associated with for the rest of your life is so special. It cannot be taken away from you as you earned that trophy through hard work. It is really hard to describe.
Q: Congratulations on the Presidents Cup win last year at Quail Hollow. What did you and Team U.S. learn from this tournament that you will take into consideration for The Ryder Cup 2023?
CM: This is a really tough question. I have had the opportunity to have played both The Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup, and they are both very different. This difference is noticeable in the team aspect, in how the media and the supporters perceive the team regarding our strengths and weaknesses on our ability to win. During both tournaments, I have been a part of a very strong team; we were the favorites in the 2022 Presidents Cup. However, we learnt that it does not mean anything, as golf has the ability to put a put a level stage for everyone to showcase their talents, from hole one all the way to hole 18. I think that the tournament highlighted that nothing should be taken for granted. It really showed the grit and perseverance that Team USA had as a result.
At a certain point during the tournament, we were challenged when we became a little too comfortable, making us suddenly have to increase our level of golf. All the players were willing to do so no matter the circumstance and who they were playing against. With The Ryder Cup in 2023, hopefully we will be a part of that team. It is a different team and situation, we all acknowledge that Team Europe are looking to win on home, European soil, where they will also have the home crowd advantage. I will do everything that it takes to qualify for that team to experience the tournament, and to try hinder them from winning the cup.
Q: The Ryder Cup in 2023 will be held in Rome – your first away from home. What are your feelings towards playing in the team competition there? How does this impact your preparation?
CM: My preparation stays the same no matter what. I think what it comes down to is learning what the fans are like, as they are such an important part to our sport. I do not think people realize the impact that they have on us when we play at tournaments. Having recently lived through unprecedented times through Covid starting in 2020, it was a weird time. That was the year that I also first turned pro, and it makes you realize how much energy the fans bring, and now much life they add whilst competing. As players, we do it for ourselves due to being motivated to win, but to see the fans enjoyment and to experience the added energy is so special, and can change the dynamic of competitions. In terms of preparation, you cannot prepare for this, one can only hope for the best, and that you are on top of your game. At the end of the day, the aim is to silence the audience with your level of skill.
Q: Tell us about your experience playing for the U.S. team at the 2021 Ryder Cup in Wisconsin. Can you describe the feeling of playing on the same team as fellow Rolex Testimonees such as Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth?
CM: Those players are our veterans, even though they are very young as well. They are players that I look up to, and I have been fortunate enough to be able to question them. And I think, for them to have this opportunity at such a young age to be a role model for someone like me, but also role models for kids is incredible. They are just both a great representation of what golf is and should be. It is truly amazing to have players and friends like that. They have such presence and importance from their experience, and everyone listens to them when we are in the team room at The Ryder Cup or at the Presidents Cup. It is really impressive to be in the same room as them and to hear their expertise and experience. Hopefully, we can all grow as golfers together, and I see this as remain a strong core group in the future of golf, certainly for team USA.
Q: If you could choose from any player past or present, who would be your ideal partner at The Ryder Cup?
CM: That is such a tough question as there is alternate shot and best ball formats. So far through the Presidents Cup and The Ryder Cup, I have played every alternate shot session, and I have played a couple best ball sessions here and there. It is hard to not choose Tiger Woods, because of what he has achieved and how much of an amazing player he is but also how successful he was. I do not think that he would miss a shot. If you were to play alternate shots with him, you would hit a ball on the green and he would easily make the putt. This may be a generic answer but it is simply the truth as he has dominated the game for so long.
Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your golf career?
CM: The biggest influence on my golfing career has to be my parents. They were the ones who introduced me to this amazing sport. They have been so supportive throughout my entire career, from junior golf, all the way to becoming professional. It is really astonishing to see how many hours, days and weekends were dedicated to supporting, and driving me to practice and then a nine-hole tournament. They sacrificed so much for me to go play tournaments. Now, I think they enjoy attending tournaments more. I know that they are still very nervous watching me play!
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
CM: I would say professionally, Justin Thomas gave me the best piece of advice. It was my first week on the PGA Tour as a professional, we were at the RBC Canadian Open in 2019. I do not know where he got this advice but it is one of the most important pieces he could have offered me as an upcoming golfer, and that is “no one can decide your path; it can be long or short. If you truly love what you are doing, and you really believe that you are going to make it to the PGA Tour, or whether you will achieve Tour dreams, the path will come to fruition and it will be there. One just has to keep going, and to continue to work hard”. Since then, that has really stuck. If I was earning these sponsor exemptions, and then spots in tournament; I knew that at some point we were going to make it to the PGA Tour. But he said, you know, it could be tomorrow, where after the Canadian Open, I can earn my PGA Tour card, it could be in five years, it could be in 10 years. I think that this journey also defines golf, it is the unknown. It can be quick, it can be tough, but it can be easy. As long as you love the journey, you are going to love the process, and it will hopefully allow you to achieve your dreams.
Q: How do you like to relax and spend time away from the golf course?
CM: We travel – I am very lucky to travel the world, mainly in the U.S. with my wife Katherine for 25 weeks per year. We visit so many places, and we live out of a suitcase for most of the year. So when we are home, I enjoy being able to relax, and to spend quality time with our dog – whether that is just going for hikes. It is important to separate yourself from the golf course, and to remain active whilst doing other activities. This is the best quality time, as we spend so much time on the golf course, focusing on the game, and to master its craft. This means that even the activity of admiring watches is enjoyable, because not only do I love them but it allows a nice distraction away from the game of golf.
