Reigning Open champion Morikawa admits handing back Claret Jug 'sucked' / Photo: © AFP
-
Trump Signals Willingness to Work With Democrats After Midterm Defeat
-
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Seat in Historic Election
-
Qatar media bodies discuss support for humanitarian initiatives
-
Galloway accuser could not foresee publishing-sector fallout, lawyer argues
-
No. 22 UCLA defeats No. 5 Arizona 84-75 despite Kharchenkov's 38 points
-
New York City Center revives In the Heights as a timely community story
-
Vessel operator seeks witnesses after Vancouver grounding
-
Godzilla Minus Zero shifts focus toward postwar human drama
-
US Air Force deploys F-16 fighters to remote Aleutian base for readiness drill
-
Mehbooba Mufti urges dialogue and renewed Central Asia links for Kashmir
-
Bezos grant helps Seattle nonprofit move thousands of families toward housing
-
Seacliff Healthcare Seeks Specialist GP in Thirroul
-
Shrini Srivastava joins crew of Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper service
-
US stocks fall before midterm Election Day as technology shares weaken
-
Nearly Half of Australian Workers Overqualified, Survey Finds
-
BLS Polymers makes strong market debut at ₹248 per share
-
RBI eases export-declaration compliance for individual service exporters
-
Petrol and diesel prices remain broadly steady across major Indian cities
-
India proposes more import entry points for drugs and medical devices
-
Reliance shares remain in focus after near-12% surge
-
Derek Tierney Outlines Ten-Year Strategy for National Digital Health System
-
2026 Arizona Midterms: Key Races, Ballot Measures, and Voter Deadlines
-
NBC’s Steve Kornacki Reveals Tech Habits Ahead of Midterm Elections
-
Coal India prepares possible $1 billion Mahanadi Coalfields listing
-
India and Israel oppose UN draft on regional conventional arms control
-
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa Share Emotional Farewell After 'DWTS' Elimination
-
BLS Polymers shares open 65.3% above IPO price
-
US Buildings Threatened by Wildfires Could Triple by 2060
-
Capital-markets shares rally as Motilal Oswal and Angel One lead gains
-
Why Pregnancy Cost Estimates Fail: A Family’s $9,000 Surprise
-
Latino Voters Defy ICE Fears, Turn Out in Record Numbers for Midterms
-
US Strikes Iranian Targets in Strait of Hormuz Ahead of Midterms
-
ITC shares rise as analysts anticipate gradual cigarette-business recovery
-
Brodeur’s Overtime Goal Secures Bethlehem’s Second Consecutive Sectional Title
-
Reliance rally puts historical one-year return pattern in focus
-
Rare 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 426 Hemi Listed for $400,000
-
Kuwait edges Oman 1-0 in veterans Gulf Cup in Doha
-
The Digital Burden: Why Instant Messaging Feels Like a Full-Time Job
-
Saudi Aramco quarterly profit climbs 34.6% amid elevated oil prices
Reigning Open champion Morikawa admits handing back Claret Jug 'sucked'
Last year's British Open champion Collin Morikawa said on Monday handing back the Claret Jug "sucked" but the American is hoping the prospect of defending his title this week in St Andrews will bring his season to life.
Morikawa won his second major in the Open last year, following his triumph at the 2020 PGA Championship with victory at Royal St George's on his tournament debut.
On Monday, he handed back the trophy ahead of Thursday's start to the 150th British Open, meaning he will now have to settle for a replica of the real thing.
"It sucked. It really did. I woke up this morning and looked at it. The replica is beautiful, but it's not the same. It really isn't. It will never be," said the 25-year-old Californian.
"But I don't want to dwell on the past. I think I've talked about that early on in my career. I always look forward to what's next. Maybe hopefully just giving it back kind of frees me up and allows me just to focus on winning this week."
Morikawa is getting his first taste of the Old Course this week and arrived in St Andrews after a disappointing showing at the Scottish Open in North Berwick, where he missed the cut.
That summed up an often underwhelming season, even if he finished fifth at the Masters in April and tied fifth at the US Open having led at halfway.
"This is a week where, look, we only get four majors a year, and we're already at number four. I don't want to look back at this year and kind of not be happy about what I did and how I prepped," he said about the prospect of defending his title.
"So I'm doing everything I can to be ready for this week, and hopefully we can put together four really good rounds."
Morikawa, who has just slipped to number eight in the world, added: "I want to give it a run. I really haven't been in contention at all this year in any tournament, and it sucks because I love being in those spots.
"I love coming down the stretch and knowing that you've got to make some great shots, make some birdies, and close it out, and I just haven't put myself in that position," he said before taking part in an event for former champions over foul holes at the Old Course on Monday.
M.Furrer--BTB
