“Frustration” (And We Feel You, Collin)

Spoiler: Golf is hard, even for the pros.

Collin Morikawa is one of the best golfers in the world. He’s got six PGA Tour wins, two majors, and a swing so smooth it could probably butter your toast. But even the greats have their “what just happened?!” moments. Case in point: the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where Morikawa went from leading by three strokes with five holes to play… to watching Russell Henley steal the trophy with a clutch eagle on 16.

So, how’s Collin feeling about it? In his own words: “Frustration.” And honestly, we get it.

The Silent Treatment

After the final round on Sunday, Morikawa didn’t stick around to chat with reporters. Can you blame him? When you’re that close to victory and it slips away, the last thing you want is a microphone in your face. As he put it on Tuesday:
“No offense to you guys, but in that moment, I didn’t want to be around anyone. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t need any ‘sorries’ or ‘good playings.’”

Translation: “Let me sulk in peace, please.”

And sulk he did—for about an hour. Then, like a true professional, he packed his bags and headed to Ponte Vedra Beach for The Players Championship. Because what’s better than bouncing back from a tough loss? Getting right back on the horse. Or in this case, the golf cart.

The Agony of Almost

Morikawa’s no stranger to contention. He’s been in the mix plenty of times, including two runner-up finishes this year (The Sentry and the Arnold Palmer). But as he admitted, closing out tournaments has been a bit of a struggle lately.
“Sunday night was a lot of frustration,” he said. “I’ve been working on playing better in final rounds, and when you don’t close it out, you’re like, ‘How do we go back to the drawing board?’”

The good news? He’s not starting from scratch. It’s more about fine-tuning the little things—like his ball-striking and putting—and staying mentally sharp when the pressure’s on. And let’s be real: Henley didn’t make it easy. Birdie on 14, eagle on 16, and two pars to finish? That’s closing like a boss. Props to Russ.

The Players Championship: A Fresh Start

Now, Morikawa’s turning his attention to TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship. It’s a course he loves, even if his track record there isn’t exactly glowing (his best finish is T13). But hey, every week is a new opportunity, right?
“I honestly think it’s one of the best golf courses we play all year,” he said. “You have to be on in all aspects—tee to green, putting. Nothing’s easy.”

Translation: “If you’re looking for a relaxing round, this ain’t it.”

The Bigger Picture

Morikawa hasn’t won since the Zozo Championship in October 2023, but he’s been knocking on the door with six runner-up finishes and 17 top 10s in the past two-plus seasons. As he put it:
“It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when.”

Still, that doesn’t make the near-misses any easier to swallow.
“I do look back at the wins, and I do care about winning,” he admitted. “So that’s where it kind of hurts.”

But here’s the thing: Morikawa’s not giving up. He’s working harder than ever, digging into the details, and staying optimistic. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from watching him, it’s that he’s always one swing away from turning frustration into triumph.

Your Turn: What Would You Do?

At Better Golf Academy, we know golf can be a rollercoaster—even for the pros. So, what’s your go-to move after a tough round? Do you sulk for an hour like Collin? Hit the range immediately? Or drown your sorrows in a post-round burger? Let us know in the comments!