2023 Tournament of Champions leaderboard: Collin Morikawa extends lead heading into final round

The five-time PGA Tour winner is in a comfortable position heading into Sunday's action at Kapalua

It has been a dominating effort from Collin Morikawa through the first 54 holes of the 2023 Tournament of Champions. Still bogey-free around the Plantation Course at Kapalua on the week, the 25-year-old stands at 24 under and has parlayed his two-stroke lead from Friday night into a six-stroke lead heading into the final day of competition.

Momentarily caught in the early stages of his third round, Morikawa responded in a manner that we have not seen in quite some time. With his playing competitor Scottie Scheffler converting an unlikely eagle opportunity on the par-5 5th, the two were tied at 16 under. Morikawa then went onto connect from 11 feet for an eagle of his own to remain out in front by two strokes and wouldn't look back from there.

Playing the final 13 holes in four fewer strokes than Scheffler, Morikawa added distance between himself and a pack that also includes Matt Fitzpatrick and J.J. Spaun at 18 under. With 10 of the last 15 winners at Kapalua possessing the pole position heading into the final round, Morikawa is in a very comfortable position with just 18 holes to go.

The leader

1. Collin Morikawa (-24)

Oddly enough, it has been more than 12 months since Morikawa has possessed a 54-hole lead in a golf tournament. Squandering an opportunity this past summer at the U.S. Open at the halfway point, we must go back to the 2021 Hero World Classic for the most recent instance of Morikawa entering the final round with a lead

Had Morikawa won that day in The Bahamas, he would have ascended to world No. 1, but instead he was left wondering what could hav been after a dreadful performance saw him relinquish a five-stroke edge. This time around should be smooth sailing given the forgiving nature of Kapalua and the new-found comfort level on the greens.

Other contenders

T2. Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Matt Fitzpatrick (-18)

T5. Jon Rahm, Tom Kim (-17)

T7. Max Homa, Sungjae Im (-16)

T9. Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, K.H. Lee, Brian Harman (-15)

While he may not chase down Morikawa when all is said and done, Scheffler remains in a nice position to reclaim the world No. 1 title. In need of a two-way tie for third place of better, the Texan has some wiggle room to work with heading into the final round, but will need to see improvements with the putter. Scheffler ranks 26th this week in strokes-gained putting and has been buoyed by his stellar tee-to-green play where he leads the field.

Max Homa cards the round of the week

The five-time PGA Tour winner was the first player to reach double-digit under par in a single round this week at Kapalua. Signing for a 10-under 63, Homa not only has the lowest round of the tournament but has played himself onto the first page of the leaderboard.

"I don't know [what went so well today]. I didn't make any mistakes throughout the day, as far as, like, kind of the dumb mistakes," said Homa. "Bogeys here and there are going to happen ... So today I just didn't do that. I did a great job. Even on 9, I kind of drop kicked my pitch and got it up-and-down for par. 

"That was a big moment for me," he continued. "So, the ball went in the hole today. I hadn't really made anything until maybe the back nine yesterday. I don't know how to really explain it. It didn't feel like I played four shots better than my last two days combined, but I did. So, it's just not a very good game for your mind. But it was nice to shoot 10 under."

Cameron Young learns a hard lesson

It's not often that a professional golfer looks like an amateur, but the reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year did on the par-5 15th on Saturday. On the green in two, Young's eagle attempt missed the hole ... and then went onto miss the green entirely. Adding insult to injury, he was unable to put his next shot on the green and ultimately carded a bogey. A tough pill to swallow for the tournament debutant.

2023 Tournament of Champions updated odds and picks

• Collin Morikawa: 1/5
• Scottie Scheffler: 12-1
• Matt Fitzpatrick: 20-1
• Jon Rahm: 25-1
• J.J. Spaun: 45-1
• Tom Kim: 50-1

If you want to lay the juice with Morikawa, be my guest as the price still feels a smidge light. Outside of that, the best course of action may be no action at all. In all likelihood, Morikawa converts his 54-hole lead into a victory, rendering any other wager illogical.

[Jan 7, 2023 at 7:46 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Morikawa's lead grows again

Now at 23 under, Morikawa holds a five-stroke advantage over Scottie Scheffler. There is nothing he can do wrong at the moment as his game continues to fire on all cylinders.

[Jan 7, 2023 at 7:21 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Morikawa adds another birdie

The leader has now reached 22 under with a birdie on the par-5 15th. He leads by four strokes over Scottie Scheffler who made a birdie of his own on the same par 5. If he stretches this out to 24 under, this thing will turn into a two- or three-horse race in the final round.

[Jan 7, 2023 at 6:57 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Here comes Tom Kim

An eagle on the par-5 15th has propelled the 20-year-old to 17 under and in a tie for third. Kim continues to impress even when the cards are stacked against him. If he can get to 20 under (the number Morikawa is currently at) perhaps he can give himself a chance tomorrow.

[Jan 7, 2023 at 6:35 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Morikawa stays at 20 under with scoring chances ahead

Now through 12 holes, Morikawa is still at 20 under and in possession of a three-stroke lead over J.J. Spaun and Scottie Scheffler. There are about to get into some of the more scoreable holes on the golf course with two short par 4s and two par 5s in the last six holes. This next hour or so will be huge for tomorrow.

[Jan 7, 2023 at 6:00 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Scoring as a whole

From a broader perspective, today is mirroring that of Round 1 when the lowest scoring average at Kapalua was reached. With the course average coming in at 4 under at the moment -- and with the best players still playing -- it is possible they come close to Thursday's record. This is bad news for Max Homa and those in the clubhouse early as Morikawa and co. will only continue to make birdies.

[Jan 7, 2023 at 5:42 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Homa gets to double digits

What a round from the five-time winner on the PGA Tour. Paired with Justin Thomas, Max Homa was incredible around Kapalua and signed for a 10-under 63. At the moment, he is in solo third at 16 under and three strokes behind Collin Morikawa who is at 19 under on the par-5 ninth. Chances are he will be six, maybe up to nine strokes back by the time the day is over. The ball is in Morikawa's court.

[Jan 7, 2023 at 5:18 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Morikawa adds to his lead

He simply cannot miss at the moment. Adding another birdie from 20 feet on No. 6, Morikawa has reached 19 under and stretched his lead to three. Scheffler made a mess of the hole from 40 yards and carded a bogey to drop back to 15 under. He sits in a tie for third with Max Homa and one back of J.J. Spaun who is in solo second.