Collin Morikawa Fires Final-Round 63 to Win Genesis Invitational by Two Strokes

Collin Morikawa ended his 33-month winless drought on the PGA Tour in spectacular fashion on Monday, firing a flawless 9-under-par 63 in the final round to win the Genesis Invitational by two strokes at Riviera Country Club, capturing his first tournament victory since the 2023 Zozo Championship.

The 27-year-old Californian was nothing short of brilliant during his bogey-free final round, making nine birdies including four consecutive on holes 6-9 that vaulted him into contention. Morikawa's closing 63 was the lowest final round by a Genesis Invitational winner since the tournament moved to Riviera, showcasing the precision iron play that made him a two-time major champion.

"This feels incredible," Morikawa said while holding the trophy. "It's been a long road back to the winner's circle, and to do it here at Riviera, a course I've always loved, makes it even more special. I never lost faith in my game, but you start to wonder when that next win will come. Today everything just clicked perfectly."

Morikawa entered the final round four shots behind overnight leader Hideki Matsuyama, but his aggressive approach and clutch putting proved decisive on golf's most demanding test. The former world No. 2 gained over three strokes on the field with his putter alone, making several crucial birdie putts from outside 15 feet that kept his momentum building throughout the afternoon.

Matsuyama finished in a tie for second alongside Scottie Scheffler at 16-under par, with both players shooting solid final rounds of 68 but unable to match Morikawa's exceptional play. The Japanese star looked poised to defend his 2025 Genesis title until Morikawa's late charge, while Scheffler's consistent play continued his excellent start to the 2026 season.

The victory moves Morikawa back into the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking and provides crucial momentum as the season's first major championship approaches. His triumph at Riviera, combined with renewed confidence in his putting stroke, suggests that the two-time major winner may be ready to return to the elite level that made him one of golf's brightest stars. With the Masters just six weeks away, Morikawa's timely return to form could not have come at a better moment in the golfing calendar.