WATCH: Collin Morikawa pulls out driver on par-3 hole at Oakmont ahead of US Open 2025

Six-time PGA Tour winner Collin Morikawa is gearing up to compete in the 2025 US Open at the iconic Oakmont Country Club. Ahead of the tournament, the American golfer headed to the course for a practice round and was spotted using a driver on a par-3 hole.

Morikawa won his first major tournament in the 2020 PGA Championship. The following year, he won the Open Championship after scoring 15-under 265. The 28-year-old has won six events on the PGA Tour and four on the European Tour.

On Monday, June 9, Collin Morikawa was spotted at the par-3 eighth hole at Oakmont. In a video posted by Underdog Golf on X, he assessed the hole first and said:

“I’m just trying to figure out what shot I’m going to hit. I feel like I need to take a little off...”

Afterwards, Morikawa got into position and took a shot at the 289-yard hole using his driver. Watch the video here:

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Before Collin Morikawa took the shot, his caddie, Joe Greiner, advised him to use a driver if he wanted to get the best score possible in “the widest area.” Morikawa could also be heard asking Greiner if he was the only one hitting a driver on the hole. Afterwards, he smiled and said that it “seemed ridiculous” to use a driver for the hole.

The 2025 US Open will kick off on June 12, and Collin Morikawa will tee off against other big stars, such as World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy.

A look at Collin Morikawa’s performance on the PGA Tour this year

Collin Morikawa has made 11 PGA Tour starts this season and has made the cut in 10 events. His first and only missed cut of the season came at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which he played with Kurt Kitayama. He has had three top-10 finishes and eight top-20 finishes so far.

Morikawa’s first start of the year was at Sentry, where he put up a spectacular performance and finished in a solo second position after scoring 32-under 260. He was three strokes shy of the lead, which was occupied by Hideki Matsuyama with 35-under. He also placed second in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, narrowly missing the victory by one stroke behind Russell Henley.

This season, the Los Angeles-born golfer has placed T17 in three tournaments— the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Genesis Invitational, and the Truist Championship. His second-worst result of the season was at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, where he finished at T54 with 3-under 281.

In March, Collin Morikawa teed off in the prestigious Players Championship and finished in T10. Afterwards, he competed in the first major of the year, the Masters Tournament, and placed T14. He also competed in the PGA Championship and finished at T50.

Morikawa was absent from the RBC Canadian Open, but he teed off in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, where he finished at T20.

About the author

Sarah Rishama Madaki is a dedicated Golf Writer at Sportskeeda with a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the world of sports journalism. With five years of professional experience as a content writer and strategist, she has worked with global brands across diverse industries, including stints at Soot Africa, TWU, Ink Different Hub, and Attrock.

A devoted fan of golf, Sarah stays updated on the sport through platforms like ESPN, SS Golf, and esteemed publications such as Golf Digest and Golf.com. She combines her knowledge of the game with an ability to understand audience preferences, crafting stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Sarah credits Tiger Woods as her inspiration for entering the world of golf. His resilience, innovative contributions to the game, and achievements motivate her to push boundaries in her career.

Beyond golf, Sarah is an avid NFL enthusiast cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, a fiction novel lover, and a budding gardener. She aspires to one day cover historic events like The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, bringing fans closer to the heart of the action.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar