Collin Morikawa won The Open at his first attempt C last year and will defend his title at St Andrews. "Being defending champion at the 150th Open at St Andrew's, you can't script it any better," he smiles. "Other than being the defending champion at the 151st!" Hopefully, I can pull it off with the energy of all those 290,000 fans."
A keen student of the game, Morikawa understands he'll be walking on hallowed turf around the Old Course, and around the town itself, especially now his name is on the Claret Jug. "When I take it out, people realise what they're holding and the history of it," he says. "They read the names that came before me. That reaction of people, that will never get old. I've never been to a golf course where really the entire town is encompassed around the course like St Andrews. The love for the game of golf breathes and lives through the town. That's what I'm most looking forward to experiencing, being part of the town when everything is about The Open."
Now you've had a year to reflect on winning the Claret Jug, what were the real highlights for you at Royal St George's?
Winning (laughs). Coming over for the first time to play my first Open, it was learning how to play links golf. Royal St George's is a little different than some other links style rotations in The Open Championship, but I think I did a pretty good job figuring it out for my first try.
Given you've never visited St Andrews before, are you planning to alter your preparations?
Denne historien er fra July 2022-utgaven av Golf Asia.
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Denne historien er fra July 2022-utgaven av Golf Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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VICTORIOUS ASIA AT EFG INTERNATIONAL GOLF CHALLENGE
Junior golfers from Team Asia overcame Team Europe at the second edition of the event that promotes sportsmanship and foster young talent.
CULINARY CROSSROADS
Foodies, it is time to add Macau to your bucket list for both its burgeoning fine dining scene - and vibrant fusion local cuisine.
CYBER TIMES
The Bell & Ross CYBER launches watchmaking into the future.
HERITAGE REIMAGINED
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi reopens its historic heritage wing.
POULTER IMPRESSED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES PATHWAY
Popular English Ryder cup star lan Poulter is confident of Asian Tour's plans for future success.
ASIAN SPIRIT TO THE FORE
The Internationals will look to Maruyama's heroics to propel their Presidents Cup quest.
GLOBAL UNITY
International Team united by the \"Shield\" ahead of Presidents Cup showdown
GIRLS ON FIRE
Representing one's country, either as an amateur or a professional, in a sport you love, is a dream come true. JUSTINE MOSS catches up with the Singapore Golf Association's Women's National Squad to find out more about their dedication to the game.
SOCIAL GOLFER
Popular influencer Christabel Chua (@bellywellyjelly) shares how golf has opened up a whole new world for her.
FAST DOWNHILL CHIP
In this common scenario, your ball has hung up on some longer grass to the side of the green, leaving you a downhill chip on to a fast surface that's running away from you.
