Collin Morikawa, currently ranked fifth in the world, is grappling with ongoing putting challenges this season, prompting a recent switch in his putter as he competes at the 2025 Rocket Classic in Detroit. These putter struggles have coincided with a notable decline in his tournament results, raising concerns about whether he can break his recent winless stretch and regain his earlier form.

A Closer Look at Morikawa’s Recent Performance Decline

Throughout 2025, Morikawa’s results have not met the high expectations set by his previous accomplishments. At the PGA Championship, he barely made the cut and finished tied for 50th place. His performance at the U.S. Open showed only slight improvement, ending tied for 23rd. These outcomes mark a clear drop from last year’s form, when he secured a top-five finish at the PGA and placed 14th at the U.S. Open. Since his last victory at the 2023 Zozo Championship, Morikawa has struggled to capture another title. In response to his struggles, he made significant changes both on and off the course in an attempt to regain footing.

One notable change came early in 2025 when Morikawa parted ways with his longtime caddie, J.J. Jakovac, after a six-year partnership. Feeling that the dynamic was no longer effective, he brought Joe Greiner, formerly Max Homa’s caddie, onboard. This personnel shift, however, has not fully resolved the issues, as inconsistent putting and uncertainty in his swing mechanics continue to hinder Morikawa’s performance.

Ongoing Putter Troubles and Equipment Adjustments

Morikawa’s putting woes have been well documented this season, with the Rocket Classic in Detroit shining a spotlight on these struggles. Golf analyst Ron Klos reported that Morikawa had lost a combined 10.2 strokes on the greens in his last two starts, including nearly nine strokes lost putting at the U.S. Open. This difficulty has driven Morikawa to experiment with different putters in search of confidence and better results.

After losing 10.2 strokes putting in his last two starts, Collin Morikawa is discussing putter changes on the practice green here in Detroit.

—Ron Klos, Golf Analyst

The move to consider a new putter is not Morikawa’s first this season. At the Travelers Championship, he started using an Olson Tour Matrix 1.0 Round putter, a custom option designed to match his feel and confidence preferences rather than address any mechanical flaws. His coach Stephen Sweeney and TaylorMade representative James Holley used Vertex Golf motion sensors to analyze Morikawa’s stroke and found no technical issues, implying the putter change was aimed purely at improving his comfort and confidence on the greens.

Earlier in the season, Morikawa also experimented with a TaylorMade Spider Tour V mallet putter during the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town. However, he abandoned this mallet-style putter after only two events, signaling a continued search for the ideal equipment fit amid his putting struggles.

Player Mindset Amid Rising Pressure

Despite the mounting pressure from his recent rut, Morikawa remains driven by the challenge and the desire to perform under scrutiny. He has openly expressed his preference for the intensity of competition and the attention that comes with being a top player.

I want the pressure. I want people watching. I want to be chased.

—Collin Morikawa, Professional Golfer

This mindset, while strong, contrasts with his admitted dip in confidence over the past year, particularly regarding his overall performance control and putting reliability.

I’ve gone longer [without a win], but honestly, I look back at last year, and it never felt like I had my game to just go out and just play golf,

—Collin Morikawa, Professional Golfer

I never felt like my game was fully in control,

—Collin Morikawa, Professional Golfer

These comments underscore the internal struggle Morikawa faces as he tries to balance maintaining his competitive fire with the practical challenges of inconsistent play.

Morikawa’s History with Putting Challenges

Collin Morikawa’s issues with putting are not new; they have followed him for years. In 2021, ahead of the Memorial Tournament, he was ranked an uncharacteristically low 180th in strokes gained: putting, making it one of his weakest aspects on tour. Determined to improve, Morikawa took a proactive approach by researching putter designs online and reaching out directly to TaylorMade for a customized putter tailored to his preferences. His specifications included particular head shapes, insert types, and alignment features, resulting in a modified TP Juno putter with lower loft and a forward-bent shaft designed for his hand position.

Earlier that year, he briefly switched to a TaylorMade Spider FCG mallet putter, a move that helped him secure a victory at the WGC-Workday Charity Championship. Nevertheless, he eventually reverted to a blade-style putter, which better suited his confidence and stroke. His persistence with putter experimentation yielded improvements; at the 2021 Memorial Tournament, Morikawa led the field with 23 birdies and successfully executed several crucial putts, finishing sixth in strokes gained: putting—demonstrating the benefits of his changes.

Current Standing and Outlook

At present, Morikawa ranks 109th in strokes gained: putting, reflecting that his putting inconsistencies remain a hurdle. With multiple putter changes already this season and a newly formed caddie relationship, his efforts suggest a determined focus on overcoming this challenge. Whether these equipment adjustments and mental resolve can translate into an end to his winless streak remains to be seen, but the situation certainly highlights the critical role putting plays in Morikawa’s overall game and tournament success.

As the 2025 season continues, all eyes will remain on Collin Morikawa to see if his latest putter choice in Detroit and ongoing adjustments can restore the confidence and results that once placed him among golf’s elite. The coming tournaments will test the effectiveness of his approach and whether he can return to form to add new titles to his rapidly growing career.