World Number 2 Golfer, Collin Morikawa Visits Expo 2020 Dubai
DUBAI, 25 January 2021 –The World Number 2 golfer Collin Morikawa took time out from preparing for this week’s Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic tournament to visit Expo 2020 Dubai. Morikawa toured Expo 2020’s popular water feature, ‘Surreal.
Morikawa is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and European Tour. He began his PGA Tour career with 22 consecutive made cuts, second only to Tiger Woods’ 25-cut streak. Morikawa has five PGA Tour wins — including two major championships, the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship, winning both on his debut. In May 2018, Morikawa spent three weeks as the top-ranked golfer in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He also became the first American to win the Race to Dubai on the European Tour.
After his tour of carefully selected pavilions. The US player spoke about his affection for Dubai, the pressure of taking the final shot and his hopes of reaching the coveted Number 1 spot.
What are your first impressions of Expo 2020 Dubai?
How vast it is. You have countries from all over the world and to see everyone’s input on what the world could be like in the future is amazing and so intense. It’s so cool to see all the countries come together, and what we have in front of us to look forward to.
You’re the reigning Race to Dubai champion. What are your thoughts on being back here?
Being the first American to win the Race to Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship last year, Dubai is always going to have a very special place in my heart and I’m always going to have good memories every time I’m back. Hopefully, we can keep making memories, keep playing really well out here, and have a few more wins.
Golfers are under so much pressure and scrutiny. Talk us through your thought process when you are taking the final shot.
Pressure is all part of it; we’re nervous but we’re excited. I think we live off the adrenaline; we’re competitors by nature.
We love to be in that position where you don’t know how many times you’re going to be able to win, or be in contention. It is a special feeling. So, when you are under that pressure you want to be ready for it, you want to enjoy the moment and have as much fun as possible.
When you’re out there, you’re super focused. I can see a lot of fans, but when you’re over the shot, all you think about is that one shot. You’re only talking to your caddie, you only think about where you are in the present moment. But it’s important to have the crowds because they make us lively. They give us that energy to really go out there and fight and enjoy it as much as we can because we know they’re wanting a show, and when you’re able to produce, that makes you feel pretty good.
You are looking at another career first — a potential World Number 1 position. What would it mean to you to get that spot?
Being number one has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. There’s a lot that needs to be done, but I’ve put myself in a position to possibly get there in the near future, hopefully sooner rather than later. To get there would mean everything. Then from there, hopefully it doesn’t stop, and I can continue and keep getting better.
We are celebrating Health and Wellness Week at Expo 2020 soon — what would be your top tip to people to stay in shape?
I think staying in shape comes from self-motivation, rather than doing it for other people. As a professional golfer, I believed in myself and always thought from day one that I can do it. I think that relates to getting in shape as well — knowing you can do it and you’re going to do it to better yourself, and that’s only going to improve everything else around you. If you really believe that, deep in your heart, you can get in shape.
Morikawa will be vying for the Dallah Trophy on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club during the highly-anticipated Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, the oldest professional golf tournament in the Middle East, from 27–30 January.
Kwame Makure and Delroy Constantine-Simms
