Page 36 - Las Vegas Golf & Leisure Fall 2020

PRO GOLFER

A LEGEND IN

THE MAKING

RISING STAR COLLIN MORIKAWA

Story by Brian Hurlburt, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Photos provided by Shriners Hospitals for Children

esides Collin Morikawa’s consistently brilliant
play since turning professional in mid-2019,
there are some other eye-popping items that
stand out regarding one of Vegas Golf’s new-
B est residents and major champions.

This writer first met Morikawa in 2019 after he spent the day
with Shriners Hospitals for Children Open patients at TPC
Summerlin. He agreed to the meet-and-greet pretty much
immediately when tournament director Patrick Lindsey
and his team made the request. He then delivered during
his time with the kids, his free and easy nature during his
interactions and genuine interest in the event clearly evi-
dent. There was zero “star-in-the-making” vibe about him,
even though just a few weeks prior he won his first PGA
TOUR event, the Barracuda Championship in Reno, and he
had yet to miss a cut as a professional.

Then, after spending additional time meeting tournament
staff, volunteers and sponsors, he made his way for the exit
when I approached with a last-minute, unplanned interview
request. He also quickly said yes, and then displayed a lot of
patience when my phone recording app decided not to work
for the next five minutes. Morikawa waited … and waited …
then finally answered a few questions about his future and
also moving to Las Vegas.

34 LAS VEGAS GOLF & LEISURE FALL 2020 www.lasvegasgolfandleisure.com