Collin Morikawa, Adam Hadwin fall short in title bid at Rocket Mortgage Classic

Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin came up short in their bid for the title at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. Despite their best efforts, both golfers fell just short of victory in a heartbreaking playoff.

For Morikawa, the game of golf proved to be a game of inches. He stood on the 18th fairway, ready for the playoff, believing he had hit the perfect shot to end his two-year winless streak. With confidence, he called it a perfect 9-iron shot that would land pin high and stop perfectly. However, the result was devastating. His shot landed in the rough just past the back-right hole location, and despite his chip for birdie, Rickie Fowler drained a 12-foot putt to claim the victory.

Morikawa had a chance to win the tournament in regulation on the final hole. Standing over a 16-foot birdie putt that would have taken him to 25 under, he narrowly missed, burning the right edge of the cup. It seemed that luck was not on his side.

This year has been a series of near misses for Morikawa. He had a commanding lead at the start of the 2023 season, only to be overtaken by Jon Rahm. He was also in contention at the Farmers Insurance Open but was outplayed by Max Homa. Despite these setbacks, Morikawa's season has shown promise in terms of statistics, ranking highly in Strokes Gained categories. However, for Morikawa, winning is everything, and he remains determined to fight for it in the upcoming events.

Adam Hadwin, the other participant in the playoff, also had a chance to win the tournament outright in regulation. His chip rolled just past the hole, and in the playoff, he narrowly missed a 25-foot birdie putt. Hadwin, reflecting on his performance, expressed his excitement for being in contention and having a chance to win.

Both Morikawa and Hadwin demonstrated their resilience and determination throughout the tournament. Despite falling short, they showcased their skills and left the event with renewed confidence in their game. As they continue their golfing journey, they remain hopeful that their consistency and improved performance will lead to future victories, whether it be at The Open or in the playoffs.

Overall, the Rocket Mortgage Classic was a testament to the fine margins in professional golf and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with competing at the highest level.