Collin Morikawa doesn't think many golf fans are rooting for him (?!) at US PGA

Collin Morikawa is on the verge of more records at the US PGA Championship this week, but he doesn't believe that many people are rooting for him to get the job done at Valhalla.

Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa

Collin Morikawa believes golf fans are not rooting for him quite as much as other players heading into the final round of the US PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Morikawa, 27, holds a share of the 54-hole lead alongside his Ryder Cup teammate Xander Schauffele with 18 holes to go in Louisville.

The World No.13 has not had his best stuff out there on the PGA Tour so far this season, but he has slowly been going under the radar lately with a handful of strong performances, most notably a T3 at The Masters last month. 

Morikawa is now on the verge of landing a hat-trick of major titles, and should he etch his name on the Wanamaker Trophy for a second time in his career on Sunday, he would become the third quickest player to win three majors, doing so in just 18 appearances. 

He picked up his first major title at the 2020 US PGA at TPC Harding Park, which played out with no fans during the Covid lockdown. 

That week, Morikawa became the third youngest winner of the US PGA and the ninth player to win on their US PGA debut. 

Morikawa then went and etched his name on the Claret Jug at the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St George's where he became the first player to win on their Open debut since Ben Curtis in 2003, which was also at the famous Kent venue. 

Morikawa is going for a third major in 18 appearances
Morikawa is going for a third major in 18 appearances

But as Morikawa goes in search of more records on Sunday, he considers he's not quite as popular as some of his peers.

Although he does not care a great deal. 

When pressed by a reporter as to whether he feels people have forgotten about him in 2024, Morikawa replied: 

"Frankly, yes, it's nice to have people root for you, and I feel like people aren't rooting for me out here. They like a good story. Xander hasn't won one, other guys, whatever it may be. But, you know, I could care less."

Morikawa has won six times on the PGA Tour with his last victory coming in October 2023 at the ZOZO Championship.

He enters the final round of the 2024 US PGA Championship in a share of the lead with Schauffele on 15-under par. 

LIVE: US PGA FINAL ROUND UPDATES

US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD

XANDER SCHAUFFELE

-15

COLLIN MORIKAWA

-15

SAHITH THEEGALA

-14

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU

-13

SHANE LOWRY

-13

VIKTOR HOVLAND

-13

JUSTIN ROSE

-12

ROBERT MACINTYRE

-12

What do you make of Morikawa's comments about fans not rooting for him as much as other players? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.

Checked out our podcast yet?

Listen to The Par FORE Podcast presented by GolfMagic:

Or watch on YouTube:

Remote video URL

In the latest episode of the Par FORE Podcast, the boys discuss all thing PGA Championship. Check out Mannings Heath here ...

Sponsored Posts

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get the latest golf news, equipment reviews and promotions direct to your inbox!