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Pasadena native and La Cañada High School graduate Collin Morikawa drove his way into the history books Sunday as the 23-year-old clinched the PGA Championship.
Morikawa clinched the Championship with a 294-yard driver to the 16th green that set up a 7-foot eagle putt.
His victory came with a 36-hole closing score of 123, which was the lowest ever by a champion in men’s golf major history, according to the PGA.
In another first, the major at Harding Park in San Francisco was the first held without spectators present.
Morikawa found himself tied with seven other players for the lead on the back nine, the Associated Press reported. Highlights from Sunday’s performance included chipping in from 40 feet on the 14th hole to take the lead, capped by his epic driver to the 16th hole.
In what the PGA quipped in a tweet was “his only mistake of the day,” the top of the Wanamaker Trophy tumbled off the coveted prize as Morikawa hoisted it in the air in victory.
Morikawa was the third golfer to win the PGA Championship at 23, joining the company of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Rory McIlroy.
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