The Players: Collin Morikawa credited his strong start at The Players to his ability to swing the club better than he had in the previous four years.
In Ponte Vedra Beach, the two-time major champion blasted a round-opening seven-under 65 without a single blemish, adding five strokes over the first six holes of his back nine, including an eagle at the par-five second hole.
The 2021 Open and 2020 PGA champion Morikawa sits one stroke behind early leader Chad Ramey.
The 26-year-old Morikawa failed to advance to the weekend at the WM Phoenix Management Open and the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week, missing the cut in both of his previous three PGA Tour tournaments.
“I’d say for the most part, throughout 2023, I’m back to playing the way I used to,” he claimed. In an effort to enjoy it. After what I discovered earlier this week, I would say that my swing hasn’t looked this fantastic since approximately 2019.
“I’ve performed really well in 2020 and 2021, but from a position standpoint, I just love where I’m at right now and just freeing everything up, just enabling me to look up at my target and smash the ball, and hopefully it goes where I want it,” said the player.
Ramey, who also had a round without a bogey, said: “For a while now, my game has felt competitive. I have secretly changed a small aspect of my swing, and it seems to be working. It worked out.”
Hole-in-ones are “something you dream of,” says Buckley.
Hayden Buckley’s hole-in-one on the famous 17th hole was the highlight of the day.
The American’s eagle briefly put him in a tie for the lead, but his round took a terrible turn after that as he recorded two double bogeys and two more dropped strokes over his next seven holes to finish one over.
“It’s something you dream of,” remarked Buckley after making an ace at the island green. I’m sure I’ll think about it for a while.
“I had a sneaking suspicion something might occur this week. Even if I’ve been striking the ball well, it’s always pleasant to see it happen on that hole.
“This is how I recall Shane Lowry’s hole-in-one from last year,” you say. The entire time, I was anticipating its release because it was ideal. The weather was ideal; there wasn’t much breeze. Exactly where I was looking, it took off.
“The 18th tee shot, which came straight after the hole-in-one, was probably the hardest one I made all day. I believe I handled the hole-in-one quite well. I just didn’t play well after that.”
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