Gold-medal favourite Collin Morikawa ready to embrace Japanese culture


Image copyright: Getty Images
 

2020 Summer Olympic Games

Thursday 29 July - Sunday 01 August 2021

Kasumigaseki Country Club
Tokyo, Japan
 
Collin Morikawa will lead a 60-strong men's golf tournament field at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old American is the top ranked golfer at the event following world No. 1 Jon Rahm's withdrawal due to a positive Covid-19 test. Dustin Johnson pulled himself out of the running for the showpiece, leaving Morikawa as the top-ranked player heading to Tokyo.
  
Morikawa, who is half Japanese, is fresh off winning the British Open; his second major title since turning professional just two years ago. 

"This is my fourth time being here (in Japan), third time playing golf, and it's not just because I love the area and I love everything about it, but you embrace the culture," Morikawa told reporters on Tuesday.

"You enjoy just being here. I think you feel like you're a part of the society when you're here, you feel respected. As athletes you want to be respected. We're very thankful for being here."
 
Kasumigaseki Country Club
 Image copyright: Getty Images

The Los Angeles-born golfer is impressed with the playing conditions at Kasumigaseki Country Club, but is expecting a tough challenge following news that Tropical Storm Nepartak will make landfall on Tuesday.

"Out here it's amazing, conditions are pristine," Morikawa added. "It's unfortunate that we're going to get a little rain, it's going to be softer than probably what we would have hoped for.

"It's still going to be a really good test of making sure you're hitting it really well off the tee and then seeing what kind of ups and downs you can make. I think you can get some pretty tough lies out here."
 
Past winners: 
 
1900: Charles Sands - United States of America 
1904: George Lyon - Canada 
‪1908-2012:  Not included in the Olympic program
2016: Justin Rose - Great Britain 
 

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Published: 07/28/2021