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The Debrief: 2020 US PGA Championship
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The Debrief: 2020 US PGA Championship

Everything you need to know from last week's US PGA Championship.

Collin Morikawa

Collin Morikawa held off a host of world class challengers to win the 2020 US PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park.

Here, we take a look at the highlights from the first Major Championship of 2020.

Morikawa's Major moment

Morikawa headed into the final round of just his second Major Championship two shots off the lead and ended it lifting the title having finished two shots clear. To do that, he recorded a flawless 64 to hold off the likes of Paul Casey, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau. On a dramatic Sunday, there was a six way tie for first place as Morikawa reached the 14th tee. He chipped in from a tricky spot just short of the green for an unlikely birdie then fired a stunning eagle on the par four 16th after hitting his tee shot to seven feet. He parred the last two holes to card the joint lowest round of the week and it was enough to secure victory. He became the fourth player to win the tournament at the age of 23. The others? Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Not bad company to be in.

Practice needed

His golf may have been flawless but there was a blot on Morikawa's Sunday. He'll definitely be putting the work in to avoid the same mistake happening next time he lifts a trophy.

Rahm returns to the top of the world

At the beginning of the week Jon Rahm responded to being replaced by Justin Thomas at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking by predicting that the World Number One spot could "bounce back and forth" due to the quality of the players vying for it. It looks like he might have been right. The Spaniard reclaimed top spot at the earliest opportunity after finishing in a tie for 13th on seven under par at TPC Harding Park, with Thomas six shots further back in joint 37th.

Jon Rahm

Caddie return boosts Casey

Casey came close to breaking his Major Championship duck, finishing joint second. It came in the second tournament since caddie John McLaren returned to his side, with Casey having missed the cut in the last two US PGA Tour events he played without him. "I've got John McLaren back on the bag," Casey said on Friday. "It's his second week back because obviously he's over in the UK and with travel restrictions and his young family there he's wanted to be home. I've honestly missed him. He's not (just) my caddie, he's my caddie and he's my friend and so much more. We have a laugh together, we stay together this week in our little bubble, just the two of us. And he adds so much to my game that it's almost pretty clear and pretty evident, you're seeing it right there - poor performances up until now, then he turns up and I feel like I've got my mojo back."

Casey and McLaren

Fairways are overrated

Li Haotong produced a remarkable bogey free 65 on day two at TPC Harding Park. What made it even more impressive is the fact that he only hit four fairways all day. The 25-year-old from China was able to rely on some outstanding approach play and a red hot putter to post a low score, as five birdies and no bogeys handed him a two shot lead heading into the weekend. Li spent most of Saturday at the top of the leaderboard but he eventually slipped off the summit after a disappointing back nine. He still recorded a top 20 finish - his best at a Major since 2018.

Missing fans

On such an exciting Major Championship Sunday, with big names in contention and wonderful shots being played - including Byeong Hun An's hole-in-one - you'd usually expect the galleries to be packed and the cheering to echo around the course. But in these modern times, the event had to take place without fans. Everyone is thrilled to be able to play golf again - but the sooner the fans can safely return the better.

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