Collin Morikawa is currently 19th in the 2024 Olympic event at Le Golf National in Paris, and the world number six isn’t overly pleased with his performance.
Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama and Tommy Fleetwood lead the way on 11 under after two rounds of play at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue. Jon Rahm was also one of Friday’s red-hot players and sits in solo fourth.
Morikawa, after a first-round 70, would’ve been hoping to start quickly, and after a two-under front nine, things were undoubtedly positive. However, only one birdie on the back leaves the two-time major winner well out of contention.
Collin Morikawa details putting issues at Le Golf National
Speaking after his round, Morikawa claimed he’s been struggling on the greens at Le Golf National.
“I’m just not reading the putts well out here, and speed has been a little off,” explained the 2021 Open Championship winner. “It’s frustrating when you’re not hitting it as good as I’d like. But look, I’ve got two more days, seven back. So you know, you’re not out of it. The way this whole format works, you’re fighting for three spots.”
The American also admitted he may have to change his game plan if things still don’t go his way on Saturday.
“Come tomorrow, at a certain point, if things aren’t really clicking, you might have to just be a little bit more aggressive. Hopefully, things will pay, and if they don’t, they don’t.”
Morikawa predicted low scores before the first round, and the 27-year-old was left to rue his work on the par fives.
“Yesterday, I was just in a bad mood and couldn’t get myself to focus as much as I should have,” he added. “Today, the process was a bit better. I pulled off a lot better shots, quality shots. Look, I’m just playing the par fives really bad.
“Those are three par 5s that are very gettable and very birdieable, and I want to say I’m 1-under for the week, and that’s just not going to do it out here.”
2024 Paris Olympics shaping up to be an all-time classic
Given that third place is enough to secure a podium spot, there’s a lot for the world’s best golfers to compete for over the weekend.
With Schauffele, Rahm, Fleetwood, Tom Kim, and Scottie Scheffler all in the hunt, Sunday’s finish could prove one of the most entertaining in Olympic golfing history.
An engaging climax is certainly what organises will want. The eyes of the world are on the sport, and there’s a massive chance to grow interest and participation as a result.
Given the low scoring through the first two days, those competing at the top of the leaderboard are going all out to get their hands on a prestigious Olympic title.
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