Collin Morikawa had admitted he is looking to avoid any sort of burn out ahead of the FedEx Cup playoffs three-week swing, which gets underway at the Northern Trust this week.
Morikawa heads to Liberty National as the man to catch in the FedEx rankings, after finishing top of the pile following the end of the regular PGA Tour season.
As a result, the 24-year-old will have his sights set on becoming FedEx Cup champion, and securing the £11million prize, to cap off a quite sensational season on Tour.
The 2020 PGA Championship winner has secured eight top 10 finishes, and two wins this term, including his second major title at last month’s Open Championship at Royal St. George’s.
Despite his rich vein of form, the Champion Golfer of the Year is looking to avoid any sort of burnout across the three weeks of play-offs.
Speaking ahead of his opening round in New Jersey he said: “Obviously, it’s great to start out number one going into the playoffs, It means I was doing something right throughout the regular season.
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“We had a couple wins, a couple top 10s. Overall, it feels good. I think the way I looked into the playoffs last year, I was so focused, especially after that PGA win, let’s go win, win, win, and I think I was almost burnt out by the time I got to that third week knowing I’d be there.”
He added: “Not everyone has the luxury of knowing where they’re going to stand coming to the Tour Championship, but I at least know I’m going to be there, I’m going to have a chance with four rounds no matter where I stand.
“So I think it’s just thinking about how do I rest up? How do I feel great about myself body-wise by the time I do get there? Because it’s a long three weeks.”
A FedEx Cup title would be a superb addition to the 24-year-old’s already glittering golf resume, joining his five PGA Tour titles, two majors and one World Golf Championship.
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As a result, Morikawa is not taking the upcoming play-offs lightly, as he sees the event as one of the biggest prizes in the world of golf.
He commented: “When you have the playoffs, this is everything. This is the finals for us.
“I think I’m going to kind of look at this a little differently throughout these next couple weeks leading up to the Tour Championship and just see if I can plot my way to really peak in that third week rather than burn myself out in the first few.”
The Open champion will kick start his play-off pursuit in today’s opening round at Liberty National alongside fellow Americans Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth at 1:26pm BST.
