British Open champion Morikawa hands over Claret Jug: ‘It sucks’


ST. ANDREWS, Scotland: Golf’s oldest championship is steeped in tradition, and for Collin Morikawa, returning the Claret Jug ahead of his title defense at this week’s British Open is a custom he could do without.

Morikawa’s name was etched into the Claret Jug after his victory in 2021 and had the famous silver trophy in his possession for a year until he finally had to hand it over this week in exchange for a replica that he can keep.

“It sucked. It really did,” Morikawa told reporters during his pre-tournament press conference on Monday. “I woke up this morning and looked at it. The line is nice, but it’s not the same. It really isn’t. It never will be.

“But I don’t want to dwell on the past. I think I talked about it early in my career. I’m still looking forward to what’s next. Maybe just giving it back frees me and lets just focus on winning this week.”

Morikawa proved last year that the experience of coastal golf courses may be overrated as he delivered a clear final round to win the British Open by two strokes at Royal St. George’s on his first attempt.

He returns for the 150th edition of the British Open, which is being played at the Old Course in St. Andrews, and said he was all about professional having already spent time soaking up the rich atmosphere of the house golf.

“I did all that on Sunday when I got here, and I’m done with it. I have to do it. It’s the only way I can focus on this tournament,” said world number eight Morikawa.

“You have to embrace history. You have to embrace everything. Everything that’s happened before us. But I’m here to win a tournament. I’m here to play some really good golf.”

Morikawa finished in the top five at this year’s Masters and US Open but is not at the same level as a year ago and has just missed a cut at the week’s Scottish Open last and could have a steep learning curve this week.

“This course takes a bit more learning and memorizing because there are so many blind shots and you aim for so many rounds, it all overlaps into one,” Morikawa said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about taking really good notes…hit it here, trust it, hit a good shot and go from there.”