Collin Morikawa says “it would mean a lot” to become the first American to win the Race to Dubai.
The US PGA Championship winner heads into the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in third place on The Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex.
Morikawa's compatriot Patrick Reed starts the week top of the standings, meaning there is a good chance that a player from across the Atlantic will become European Number One for the first time.
“Obviously Dubai is beautiful,” said Morikawa. “I've been looking forward to this trip and I didn't really make my decision for a while, but it was on my radar and obviously I've put myself in a really good position to close out 2020 on a great note. To be here and make this my first start on the European Tour means a lot.
“I've talked about consistency. I've talked about bringing my game around to the entire world, and what better way to show it, the DP World Tour Championship.
“All the best players are here throughout 2020 and everyone is here to win. It going to be a long week. It going to be a tough one but I look forward to it.
“It would mean a lot (to be first American to win the Race to Dubai) but I don't think that would mean the most. I think winning The Race to Dubai would mean a lot for my career, for myself.
1 week. 2 big trophies on the line.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) December 7, 2020
It's time for the #DPWTC!#RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/YPAvsnAUFH
“Winning the Race to Dubai would mean a lot because I want my game to travel. I want to be a world player. I want to be able to bring my game anywhere, adapt to the different places I come to and this is just the first step of doing that.”
Morikawa also confirmed that he would retain his European Tour membership in 2021.
And the 23-year-old is hoping for more opportunities to play a global schedule, with the coronavirus pandemic having complicated matters this year.
“I signed up for membership for next year already because I want to play out here,” he added.
“There's a bunch of guys that I've never met. I've seen them on TV and I think they are wonderful players and there's a couple guys that I've seen longer than I have on the PGA TOUR - I've grown up playing with Sam Horsfield and Sean Crocker my entire life, so it's good to see a couple guys play really well, make it out here.
“I'm very thankful for the path that I've taken so far but this week means a lot. It's a big week. I came here after some good rest after the Masters and really prepped, fresh mind and look forward to the week.”
