Who Is Collin Morikawa? Everything to Know About Golf’s Two-Time Major Champion

Collin Morikawa is an American professional golfer born on February 6, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. He won two major championships — the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship — becoming the first player to win two different majors on debut. He is widely regarded as one of the best ball-strikers in the world today.

Introduction

Some athletes arrive quietly and then, almost without warning, change the sport they love forever. Collin Morikawa is one of those athletes. At just 23 years old, he won one of golf’s four major championships. A year later, he won another. Not just any two majors — but two different ones, each on his very first attempt. No one in the history of professional men’s golf had ever done that before.

Yet for all his achievements on the course, Morikawa remains one of the most grounded young stars in any sport today. He talks about his parents with deep gratitude, he married his college sweetheart, and he lives a relatively quiet life far from the noise of celebrity culture. His story is one of talent meeting discipline, guided every step of the way by a tight-knit family who instilled values that have shaped him just as much as any golf coach ever could.

This is the full story of Collin Morikawa — the man behind the major trophies.

Early Life and Family Background

Collin Morikawa was born on February 6, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a warm, stable household shaped by a rich mix of cultural heritage. His father, Blaine Morikawa, is a Japanese-American whose parents were born and raised in Maui, Hawaii. His mother, Debbie Morikawa, is a Chinese-American who grew up in Southern California. This blend of Japanese and Chinese-American roots has always been a meaningful part of Collin’s identity.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Collin had what he has described as a genuinely fortunate childhood. His parents ran a laundry business in the city that dealt with linens and tablecloths, and that business gave the family a comfortable life. In his own words, he “never had to think about money growing up” and was raised in a household where he learned not to ask for much, but knew that his parents would provide when it truly mattered.

That sense of gratitude has stayed with him. Even at the height of his professional success, Morikawa has spoken publicly about how lucky he feels to have been raised the way he was.

Education and Academic Journey

Collin attended La Cañada High School in La Cañada Flintridge, a community in Los Angeles County. He was already recognized as an exceptional junior golfer by the time he reached high school, and his academic record matched his athletic ability.

After graduating, he enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he played collegiate golf from 2015 to 2019. His time at Berkeley was remarkable. He won five collegiate events, including the 2019 Pac-12 Conference Championship. He was named a first-team All-American four times, and in May 2018, he spent three weeks as the top-ranked amateur golfer in the entire world.

His mother Debbie attended the University of Southern California, which made her a proud Trojan fan. That connection played a quiet role in Collin’s thinking when choosing where to go to college, though ultimately he chose the rival Bears at Berkeley — a decision that clearly served him very well.

He turned professional in June 2019, just weeks after completing his senior year. He never looked back.

Physical Appearance and Personality

Collin Morikawa stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 77 kilograms. He has short black hair and dark brown eyes, and carries the lean, athletic build of someone who has devoted his entire life to competitive sport.

On the course, Morikawa is known for an almost uncanny calmness. Where many young golfers show nerves under pressure, Morikawa has been consistently praised by commentators, coaches, and fellow professionals for his composure. His iron play, in particular, is considered among the very best in the game — precise, powerful, and reliable in moments that count the most.

Off the course, he is warm and approachable. He speaks thoughtfully about his family, his heritage, and the values his parents raised him with. He is not one for loud self-promotion, and he has remained largely free of controversy throughout his career. People who have worked with him often point to his genuine humility as one of his defining traits.

Parents

Father: Blaine Morikawa

Blaine Morikawa is a Japanese-American man whose family roots trace back to Maui, Hawaii. His parents — Collin’s paternal grandparents — were born and raised there, and Collin still has a large extended family across both Maui and Oahu. Blaine himself was raised in California, and along with his wife Debbie, he built a successful laundry business in Los Angeles.

Blaine has always been a steady, supportive presence in Collin’s life. He and Debbie were the ones who first introduced a five-year-old Collin to golf, convincing the organizers of a junior camp at Scholl Canyon Golf and Tennis Club in Glendale to let their son participate even though he was not quite old enough to join. That small act of parental persistence changed everything. When coaches at that camp noticed how superior the young boy’s mechanics were compared to the other children, they took an interest — and a career was born.

Collin has spoken fondly of his father’s role in shaping the person he has become. In a piece he wrote for Sky Sports in 2020, he credited both his parents with teaching him to respect every person he meets, regardless of who they are.

Mother: Debbie Morikawa

Debbie Morikawa is a Chinese-American woman who grew up in Southern California. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California, and her connection to the school gave Collin an early exposure to Pac-12 college culture.

Like her husband, Debbie has been a constant presence at Collin’s tournaments over the years. She helped raise two boys in a household that was both loving and values-driven. She instilled in them a sense of modesty and gratitude — not by lecturing, but by example. Her son has said that his parents never made him feel entitled, even as the family’s business gave them a comfortable lifestyle.

Debbie’s Chinese heritage, combined with Blaine’s Japanese roots, gave Collin a bicultural upbringing that he has embraced with increasing pride as he has grown older. When he competed at the Zozo Championship in Japan in 2019, he described feeling an instant emotional connection to the country — a feeling he traced directly back to the heritage his parents shared with him.

Siblings and Extended Family

Collin has one younger brother, Garrett Morikawa, who has a passion for soccer rather than golf. Collin has noted that golf is very much his own thing in the family — no one else caught the bug quite the way he did. Still, Garrett and the rest of the Morikawa family have been regular supporters at his tournaments, including when he claimed the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St George’s in England.

The extended family spans California and Hawaii. Collin’s paternal grandparents were from Maui, and he has cousins and relatives spread across the Hawaiian islands. That connection to Hawaii deepened when he volunteered with his wife after wildfires devastated Maui in 2023, helping prepare food boxes for affected families — an act that showed the seriousness with which he takes his family ties.

Career and Professional Life

Collin Morikawa turned professional in June 2019 and almost immediately began rewriting the record books. He made 22 consecutive cuts to start his PGA Tour career — the second-longest streak to begin a professional career in tour history, behind only Tiger Woods’ mark of 25.

His first PGA Tour win came at the 2019 Barracuda Championship. By August 2020, he had won the PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, doing so in just his second major start. His final-round score of 64 tied the lowest final-round score ever shot by a PGA Champion. At 23, he was the third-youngest winner of that event since World War II.

The following year, he crossed the Atlantic and won the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England — again in his debut at that venue. He became the first player since Bobby Jones in 1926 to win two majors in eight or fewer starts. He also became the first American to win the European Tour’s Race to Dubai that same year, earning a special lifetime membership to the tour — an honor shared by only four other American golfers.

As of early 2026, Morikawa has accumulated over $46 million in official PGA Tour prize money, with total career earnings — including bonuses and unofficial events — estimated at more than $77 million. He holds sponsorship deals with major global brands including TaylorMade, Adidas, Omega, Therabody, KPMG, US Bank, and Cadillac.

Personal Life and Privacy

Collin Morikawa met his now-wife, Katherine Zhu, through a mutual friend who showed him photos of her on Instagram in early 2017. He was interested immediately, they began texting, and by March 2017 they were officially dating. Katherine was at the time a standout golfer on the women’s team at Pepperdine University — a school known for its strong golf program.

Their relationship grew steadily over the years. In November 2021, Collin proposed to Katherine during a trip to the Bahamas — an event he admitted made him incredibly nervous. They were married on November 26, 2022, in a private ceremony at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, with around 100 guests attending. Their dog, Koa, was also present on their wedding day, sitting in the train of Katherine’s dress in a photo that charmed the internet.

The couple now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. They share a love of food, travel, and golf, and Katherine — who has been described as a strong competitive presence in their household — has been by Collin’s side at many of his major tournaments. He has publicly credited her support as a genuine factor in some of his biggest victories.

Media Presence and Public Perception

Collin Morikawa is active on social media but selective about what he shares. His Instagram account at @collin_morikawa has grown to over 700,000 followers, while his presence on X (formerly Twitter) counts more than 240,000 followers. He tends to post highlights from tournaments, moments with Katherine and their dog Koa, and occasional glimpses into his travels.

The public perception of Morikawa within the golf world is overwhelmingly positive. He is consistently praised by broadcasters and fellow players for his maturity, his sportsmanship, and the precision of his game. He has played on U.S. Ryder Cup teams and represented his country with distinction, going 3-0-1 in the 2021 Ryder Cup as the Americans won convincingly.

More recently, he has been willing to speak up on matters affecting his career, including publicly addressing reports about caddie changes and performance expectations — showing that beneath his calm exterior is someone who knows his own value and is prepared to defend it.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Collin Morikawa’s net worth is estimated at approximately $8 million as of 2025, though his total career earnings from all sources are widely believed to be far higher. His 2026 season opened with a historic win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he claimed $3.6 million in prize money for that single event alone.

Beyond prize money, his endorsement portfolio is among the most impressive in golf. His partnerships with brands like Adidas, TaylorMade, Omega, and Cadillac generate significant income alongside his on-course earnings.

Morikawa and Katherine live a comfortable but relatively understated life in Las Vegas. He has described himself as a food lover who enjoys finding new restaurants while traveling for tournaments — a passion he and Katherine share. They are also both committed to charitable work, having volunteered for wildfire relief in Maui and supported youth golf access through his Birdie Challenge partnership with US Bank and Youth on Course.

Future Prospects

At 29 years old in 2026, Collin Morikawa is at what many consider the peak age for a professional golfer. He already owns two major championships, and most serious observers of the game believe there are more to come. His iron play remains the standard by which others are measured, and his mental game — so clearly nurtured by years of family support and personal discipline — shows no signs of weakening under pressure.

After a caddie change in 2025, Morikawa entered the 2026 season with renewed focus. His Pebble Beach victory in early 2026 signaled clearly that his best golf may still be ahead of him. If he continues to develop at the rate he has shown since turning professional, a place among the all-time greats of the sport is entirely within reach.

Legacy and the Influence of Family

It would be too simple to say that Collin Morikawa is just a talented golfer. What makes his story compelling is how deeply personal it is. His achievements on the course are real and historic, but they sit within the larger story of a family — two parents who ran a laundry business, drove their son to junior golf camps, and taught him above all else to be respectful, to be grateful, and to work hard.

Blaine and Debbie Morikawa’s influence shows up not just in trophy cabinets but in the way their son carries himself in victory and defeat alike. The Japanese and Chinese heritage they shared with him has given Collin a sense of belonging and pride that stretches across continents. And the stability they gave him as a child laid the groundwork for everything that followed.

His marriage to Katherine Zhu has extended that foundation into the next chapter of his life. Together, they have built a partnership grounded in shared values, shared passions, and shared commitment to something larger than individual success.

Conclusion

Collin Morikawa is much more than a two-time major champion. He is the product of a family that valued respect, gratitude, and hard work above all else — and those values have shaped every aspect of his life, from the way he plays golf to the way he treats people away from the course.

At 29, with the best years of his career likely still ahead, Morikawa stands as one of the most compelling figures in the sport today. His story is a reminder that real greatness, in golf as in life, is built not in a single brilliant moment but across years of effort, love, and quiet dedication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is Collin Morikawa?

Collin Morikawa is an American professional golfer born on February 6, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. He plays on the PGA Tour and is a two-time major champion, having won the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship.

2. Who are Collin Morikawa’s parents?

His parents are Blaine Morikawa and Debbie Morikawa. Blaine is a Japanese-American whose family roots trace to Maui, Hawaii, and Debbie is a Chinese-American from Southern California. They ran a laundry business in Los Angeles and are widely credited with nurturing Collin’s character and career.

3. Who is Collin Morikawa’s wife?

Collin married Katherine Zhu on November 26, 2022. Katherine is a former collegiate golfer who played for Pepperdine University. The couple met in 2017, became engaged in the Bahamas in November 2021, and now lives in Las Vegas with their dog, Koa.

4. What is Collin Morikawa’s heritage?

Morikawa is of Japanese and Chinese descent. His father is Japanese-American with roots in Hawaii, and his mother is Chinese-American from California. He has spoken warmly about his bicultural heritage and the pride it gives him when competing in Asia.

5. What major championships has Collin Morikawa won?

He has won the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park and the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St George’s. Remarkably, he won both in his debut appearances at each event — a feat no one in men’s professional golf had ever accomplished before.

6. Does Collin Morikawa have any siblings?

Yes, he has one younger brother named Garrett Morikawa. Unlike Collin, Garrett’s sporting passion is soccer rather than golf.

7. What is Collin Morikawa’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated at approximately $8 million as of 2025, though his total career earnings — including tournament prize money, endorsements, and bonuses — are estimated at over $77 million.

8. Where does Collin Morikawa live?

Collin and Katherine Morikawa currently live in Las Vegas, Nevada.