Collin Morikawa and Chris Gotterup are currently experiencing vastly different trajectories on the PGA Tour, with Morikawa’s recent struggles contrasting sharply against Gotterup’s impressive rise. Despite Morikawa’s early career success, including two major championships before the summer of 2021, he has not won since October 2023, marking a significant downturn for the 29-year-old. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Gotterup has gained momentum, securing multiple PGA Tour victories and demonstrating promising form throughout the 2026 season.
Morikawa’s Declining Performance and Impact on His Game
Morikawa began the 2026 PGA Tour season poorly, missing the cut at the Sony Open—the first event of the year he participated in. His overall statistics for the season paint a bleak picture: ranked outside the top 110 in strokes gained around the greens and 156th in strokes gained putting, he has struggled across multiple facets of his game. Despite playing in 21 events, his top-10 finishes have been limited to just four, with only one occurring after March. This drop in consistency has left fans and analysts puzzled, especially given his earlier dominance on the Tour.
Ryder Cup Selection Sparks Debate Over Morikawa and Gotterup
The decline in Morikawa’s form made his inclusion in the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team difficult to justify, especially since Keegan Bradley chose him as one of six captain’s picks over Gotterup, who was in exceptional form. Gotterup’s game appeared better suited to the challenging conditions of Bethpage Black, where his powerful drives provided a distinct advantage. Morikawa, in contrast, struggled significantly at the event, losing two matches and halving another, as the European team ultimately triumphed 15-13. This outcome has intensified criticism of Bradley’s decision-making.
Gotterup’s Strong Start to the 2026 Season Reinforces His Potential
Chris Gotterup launched his 2026 PGA Tour campaign with a win, followed by a top-20 finish in his next tournament, and led after the first round of his third event, the WM Phoenix Open. His commanding and confident style of play has impressed observers and golf enthusiasts alike, further highlighting the contrast between his performance and Morikawa’s ongoing struggles. Gotterup’s opening round score of 63 in Phoenix showcased his current elite form, underscoring his potential as the Tour’s next rising star.
The Growing Divide: What’s Behind Morikawa’s Recent Struggles?
Questions have emerged about the causes behind Morikawa’s difficulties, with some critics wondering if his early success was unsustainable or influenced by factors such as Covid interruptions. His often overthought shots and evident struggle to maintain clear decision-making contrast sharply with Gotterup’s seemingly effortless play, where each stroke appears natural and confident. This divergence in mindset and execution has broadened the gap between the two players, leaving many to speculate on Morikawa’s future prospects on the PGA Tour.
Reflections on Keegan Bradley’s Picks and Future Implications
Bradley’s choice to select Morikawa over Gotterup for the Ryder Cup, initially seen as a ‘safe’ decision, now appears increasingly misguided. Many experts argue that Gotterup’s selection would have been the smarter and safer option, given his superior form and suitability to the course conditions at Bethpage. As Gotterup continues to shine and Morikawa struggles to regain his footing, Bradley’s pick is likely to be remembered as a pivotal error. Going forward, Gotterup’s rise may influence future captain’s choices, while Morikawa faces an uncertain path to reclaiming his place among the game’s elite.
“Gotterup could well be the PGA Tour’s next superstar, due to his exceptional talent and thrilling playing style.” – Unattributed
“The sparkling opening round 63 in Phoenix was yet further evidence that he is on another stratosphere to Morikawa right now.” – Unattributed
“Bradley made the so-called ‘safe’ decision by picking Morikawa for the US Ryder Cup.” – Unattributed
“However, the ironic thing is that selecting Gotterup instead of Morikawa would have actually been the safer play, certainly the smarter one.” – Unattributed
