Morikawa is low amateur at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Collin Morikawa (L) and Doc Redman (R)
(Cal and Clemson photos)
ORLANDO, FL (March 18, 2018) - Collin Morikawa and Doc Redman were both even-par after the opening 36-holes but it was the Cal junior Morikawa who wrestled away medalist honors over the weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Playing at Bay Hill Club & Lodge Morikawa combined rounds of 71-75 over the weekend to finish 2-over for the week. Appearing on the PGA Tour for the second time, Morikawa a two-time winner this year for the Bears, finished his tournament on a strong note playing the final three-holes in 1-under after carding his lone birdie of the round on the par-5 16th.
The 16th, just 511 yards long, played as the easiest hole this week and Morikawa reached the green in two setting up an easy two-putt birdie.
Clemson sophomore Doc Redman had an unfortunate finish to what was an encouraging week for last years U.S. Amateur champion. Teeing it up in the first of his three events on the PGA Tour in four weeks Redman carded rounds of 72-77 to finish his week 5-over. Redman had a chance to take low amateur honors had it not been for a bogey, triple-bogey finish that followed a birdie on the 16th that had moved Redman to 1-over for the tournament.
The fact that Redman had a chance to finish as the low amateur was impressive in its own right. Beginning the final round even-par Redman stumbled out of the gates with a double-bogey, bogey start that could have derailed many golfers. Unfazed Redman responded playing Nos. 3-16 in 2-under.
Morikawa was playing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational after his Team USA teammates at the 2017 Arnold Palmer Cup selected him for the Americans' one exemption to the event. Redman earned his exemption into the event by winning the 2017 U.S. Amateur.