Collin Morikawa Shoots 61 to Go From 9 Shots Behind to 3-way Tie for Tour Championship Lead

Collin Morikawa hits a tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta on Aug. 24, 2023. Alex Slitz/AP Photo

ATLANTA—Collin Morikawa faced a tough road at the Tour Championship, starting the tournament nine shots behind but knowing he had 72 holes—and an example from Rory McIlroy last year—to make up ground in the FedEx Cup finale.

He managed to do that in one day, with a little help from the top.