BRADENTON, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 28: Collin Morikawa of the United States celebrates with the Gene Sarazen Cup during the trophy ceremony after winning the final round of World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession on February 28, 2021 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
BRADENTON, Florida, March 1: Collin Morikawa did not get the red-shirt and black pants combo in time to wear it as a tribute and show support for Tiger Woods as he recovers from leg injuries from a car crash. Even though the shipment did not arrive, Morikawa went on to win the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession.
He is now only the second player after Woods to win a major and a World Golf Championship before turning 25. Woods was 23 when he won the first of his 18 World Golf Championships.
Starting with a two-shot lead, Morikawa made an early mistake on second, but four birdies thereafter for a 3-under 69 at the Concession Golf Club course gave him a three-shot victory for his first World Golf Championships.
At 18-under 270, Morikawa won for the fourth time in his last 34 starts on the PGA TOUR and was three clear of Brooks Koepka (70), Viktor Hovland (67) and Billy Horschel (70).
Morikawa’s red-shirt-black-pants did not arrive from Tennessee though many others like Tony Finau, McIlroy, Patrick Reed among others did.
“I think just for everyone to show their appreciation for what he means to us out here,” Rory McIlroy said about the dress code. “If there was no Tiger Woods, I just the think the TOUR and the game of golf in general would be in a worse place. He’s meant a lot to us, he still does mean a lot to us and I think that was just a little way to show that.”
Horschel caught Morikawa after three holes and tried to stay with him, but could not. Koepka was three back when he had a 35-foot eagle chance but he three-putted for par. Hovland could not carry on the chase either.
McIlroy and Reed, both dressed in red and black, were further back. McIlroy closed with a 71 to tie for sixth, while Reed shot a 72 and to finish another spot back.
