Collin Morikawa takes a swing during Sunnehanna Amateur play
(Sunnehanna Amateur Photo)
JOHNSTOWN, PA (June 18, 2016) -- It was a remarkable final round by
Collin Morikawa at the rain shortened 54-hole Sunnehanna Amateur at Sunnehanna Country Club. Morikawa started the day four off the pace set by Will Grimmer but fired a final round bogey-free 8-under 62 to finish 11-under and at the top of the leaderboard.
Morikawa began the final round 3-under after pedestrian 67-70 rounds during the first two rounds. However, on the final day it was all cylinders go for the California Berkeley sophomore. Following a par on the 1st, Morikawa birdied the 2nd hole, the first of his eight birdies. The AmateurGolf.com member and winner of the AGC Silicon Valley Amateur earlier this year rolled in three more birdies on the front to turn in 4-under 31. The birdies came on 5, 7 and 8.
“This entire week was spectacular,” Collin Morikawa told Cal Athletics. “Minimizing my mistakes was the biggest part in leading me to this win. Other than the second round when I had a few mental mistakes, the rest of the golf was very patient and steady.”
On the back nine the birdie train continued with four more on holes 10, 11, 15 and 16. Morikawa had three instances during the final round where he converted back-to-back birdies.
“It takes a very special player to shoot 62 anytime, but it takes an extra special player to do that in the final round,” said retiring Cal head coach Steve Desimone. “That’s what great players do. They score in the final round. That’s how you win tournaments.”
During the final round, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year hit all 18 greens and it was the fourth win of his amateur career.
Ohio State sophomore Will Grimmer led after each of the first two rounds before struggling on Saturday with a 1-over 71 to finish 6-under and in a tie for fourth.
Two players, KK Limbhasut (California) and second ranked mid-amateur Garrett Rank, finished 8-under and tied for second.
-California Athletics contribute to this story
ABOUT THE
Sunnehanna Amateur
First played in July 1954, the Sunnehanna Amateur holds a distinguished place in golf history as the first country club-sponsored 72-hole medal (stroke) play event for amateurs in the United States. Its groundbreaking format helped set the standard for elite amateur competition and has since inspired numerous high-level tournaments across the country.
Hosted at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the event is played on a classic 1921 A.W. Tillinghast design—a quintessential golden-age layout known for its strategic shot values, rolling terrain, and challenging greens. The course itself is as much a draw as the championship, offering a pure test of golf that showcases the talent of rising amateur stars.
With its rich tradition, elite fields, and iconic venue, the Sunnehanna Amateur remains one of the premier proving grounds for future professionals. Its alumni list includes many who have gone on to successful PGA Tour careers, making it a must-watch event on the amateur calendar, and one of the best tournaments to kick off a competitive summer in amateur golf.
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