Collin Morikawa gives his verdict on how Billy Foster was as a caddie after their first round at the Scottish Open

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Collin Morikawa is up and running with new caddie Billy Foster, having started the Scottish Open with a two-under 68.

Morikawa hired Foster as his new caddie earlier this week, with the Englishman having last worked with compatriot Matt Fitzpatrick.

They parted ways earlier this season, with Fitzpatrick having clinched the 2022 US Open title with Foster on his bag.

He will now be looking for similar success with Morikawa, with the Scottish Open taking place right before The Open Championship.

Finding consistent form may, however, be the priority at this moment in time for a player who last won on the PGA Tour in 2023.

How Collin Morikawa found working with caddie Billy Foster in Scottish Open first round

That success arrived at the Zozo Championship, and represents one of six PGA Tour career wins for the American.

He has just made a positive start in his first round of the Scottish Open, after which he was asked how things went with Foster on his bag.

READ MORE: Collin Morikawa could face a big Ryder Cup problem with his new caddie if things go well at The Open

Morikawa replied: “It was great. I think he was liking the putts that were dropping. I made quite a few throughout that middle round of the stretch… or middle stretch of the round.

“But it’s just a lot of fun. He’s obviously got a lot of stories, and I enjoy those. Just asking questions about Seve [Ballesteros], [Lee] Westwood and [Darren] Clarke and even Fitz (Matt Fitzpatrick).

“He’s not tried to change my game but he’s already learned my game and how I need to play out here. And I’ve leaned a lot on him so far through one round, and I’m going to keep doing that the next two weeks.”

Collin Morikawa suggests why he has had so much links golf success

Morikawa will be looking for a strong week at the Scottish Open, which will involve making the weekend at The Renaissance Club.

That would give him a huge confidence boost ahead of The Open, a major championship he won back in 2021.

READ MORE: Collin Morikawa admits he’s really struggling with one aspect of his golf game after not practicing as much as he should

Similar conditions to the Scottish Open could be in play at Portrush, with Morikawa having also been asked about his focus in such conditions after round one.

He responded: “Obviously to score low. Looking at the leaderboards quite a few red numbers but it can get away from you any direction.

“You miss it just a little bit offline, you can be in a bunker or thick rough or fescue out here, it’s just staying steady.

“I made some great, great saves for par on 18 making the turn, and I was able to make eagle. It’s times like that where you’re able to keep rounds to go, and I was able to sign for a couple under and off you go.”

And when asked why he thinks he’s had so much success on links courses, he replied: “Creativity. I think when you come out here, it’s not just me getting one shot or me getting that one putt.

“I’ve got to work the ball and I’ve got to play different heights. It’s a lot of feel. It’s not a perfect science out here where you say 150 playing 155.

“There’s a lot of feel and a lot of control with the ball and that’s what I practise a lot, and hopefully it pays off these two weeks.”

Morikawa’s superb success at The Open came at Royal St George’s, and arrived a year after his maiden major triumph.

That first title was secured at the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park, while his new caddie Foster helped guide Fitzpatrick to his only major win at The Country Club.