Morikawa Triumphs at Pebble Beach in Emotional Comeback, Reveals Exciting Family News
The windswept shores of Pebble Beach, California, witnessed a triumphant return to form for two-time major champion Collin Morikawa on Sunday, as he clinched his first PGA Tour victory in over two years at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The emotional win was made even more poignant by the personal revelation that he and his wife, Katherine Zhu, are expecting their first child later this year.
Zhu, watching from the sidelines near the 18th green, was visibly moved as Morikawa sank a crucial birdie putt on the par-five closing hole. His final round of five-under-par 67 propelled him to a commanding 22-under-par total, securing solo first place and a much-anticipated return to the winner’s circle. The victory marks Morikawa’s first PGA Tour title since the Zozo Championship in October 2023. He outlasted a formidable leaderboard that featured top talents including Min Woo Lee, Sepp Straka, Tommy Fleetwood, and the world’s number one, Scottie Scheffler, who mounted a strong late charge after an opening-round 72.
“The only two shots I saw on 18 were the last two putts because of the crowds,” Zhu later commented on social media, explaining her tense viewing experience. “And I didn’t have signal to check the PGA Tour app. I wanted to make sure :).”
Morikawa himself expressed immense satisfaction with his performance, especially given the calibre of his competitors. “Great field, great leaderboard — looking at it the entire day. And just to be able to pull off those last two shots, it feels great,” he shared after the round.
A Career-Defining Win and a Joyful Announcement
The embrace between Morikawa and Zhu on the 18th green was a picture of shared joy and relief. This significant victory has not only ended a lengthy title drought but has also seen Morikawa ascend from world No. 19 to a career-high No. 5 in the rankings. He now sits just behind golf’s elite: Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Fleetwood, and Justin Rose.
However, the most heartwarming news emerged during Morikawa’s post-round interview with CBS Sports on February 15th. He confirmed the exciting personal milestone: “We are actually expecting later this year, in a few months. We just started telling people this week.” He elaborated on the perfect timing of the announcement, stating, “We said, what a better way, the best way, to just announce it to the world if I was able to come out and win.”
Reflecting on the culmination of his golfing achievement and this personal joy, Morikawa was filled with gratitude. “There’s so much to life. There’s so much to enjoy … I’m just so thankful for the people around me. My team, Kat, my wife, my parents, my brother. I’m speechless right now,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
A Love Story Forged in College Golf
Collin Morikawa and Katherine Zhu’s journey together began on the collegiate golf circuit in 2017, where they competed for the University of California, Berkeley, and Pepperdine University, respectively. Their relationship blossomed, leading to their marriage on November 26, 2022, in an intimate ceremony attended by approximately 100 close friends and family at the esteemed Hotel Bel-Air.
This momentous win at Pebble Beach, coinciding with the joyous announcement of their growing family, adds another cherished chapter to their story. The victory signifies not just a personal triumph for Morikawa, but a shared celebration of a promising future for the couple.
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has once again delivered drama and unforgettable moments, with Collin Morikawa’s resurgence and his heartwarming personal news serving as a powerful reminder of the profound connections between athletic achievement and the joys of life.
