THE RYDER CUP

September 25, 2021

Collin Morikawa

Whistling Straits

Press Conference

Saturday Afternoon Four-balls

JOHN DEVER: Good late afternoon. Welcome back to the 43rd Ryder Cup.

Q. You look so calm and collected out there. Is that really how you feel out there? Is it your partner? What is it about this experience that makes you play somewhat relaxed?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: That's how I feel. Obviously there's a lot of energy, there's a lot of passion that goes into what I want to do and how I hit every shot, but once you step over the ball, you have to step into a different zone and you have to change everything from walking up to the tee, walking up to the fairway.

Obviously having DJ, he's an amazing player. I've said it all week, and I'm going to keep saying it, because he really is, he's a great guy and he really made these first two days a little easier on me.

Q. This is your first Ryder Cup, and DJ has been here before. Ryder Cup is in the U.S., and a lot of fans for the American side. What is it like to hear the cheers, and what's your reaction when you hear it?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: I love it. You can definitely tell wits a U.S. cheer versus a European cheer. We love it. We really do.

Obviously we have heard some fans say some things that wasn't right, but when it's for us and they're cheering you on after you make a birdie or make a putt, you're really able to use that momentum into the next hole and keep it going.

Q. Dustin is 4-0 now. What makes y'all such an effective team, the two of you, and from your perspective, what's been working for Dustin these last couple days?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: Everything's been working for Dustin. I think that's what's great. You're not going to go 4-0 and play 36, 36 playing bad golf. Yeah, you're going to hit a few bad shots and you're going to make a few mistakes, but that's what a partner is for.

I think what makes DJ and I a great pairing is we play very similar games and we think the same, somewhat on the same thought, and you just keep moving the ball forward. We gave ourselves a lot of chances today, and I was very happy with the outcome obviously.

Q. Did you know Dustin well before this week?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: I've spent a little time here and there. Not living in Florida with him, with a lot of other guys, you don't spend too much time. We spent TaylorMade days talking to each other and we spent practice rounds here and whatnot. I have a good sense of who Dustin is, and you know, it's been a very easy pairing so far.

Q. Would you consider him a team leader? And if so, how does he lead?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: Look, he's a veteran. He's the oldest guy on our team, and it's a very quiet leadership, but he makes his presence known. When he needs to say something, he says something.

We met before the six captain's picks were announced. He spoke his mind. He's going to be there when you really need it. And if you don't, he's going to let you do your thing, and that's what we did this week.

Q. Great results for you and DJ over the two days, but just for yourself, the quality of golf that you produced today, how well do you think you played?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: I've played great. You know, obviously hit some bad shots here and there, but this is how my game felt about a month and a half ago. Obviously had some issues, had some health issues, and you're going to fight through those. But at the beginning of the week, I felt good, and thankfully we're seeing some results.