Collin Morikawa holds nerve at Pebble Beach to edge Scheffler and end title drought

Morikawa, a two-time major winner, began Sunday's final round one off the lead and played steadily in increasingly blustery conditions, pulling clear with late birdies before a bogey on the 17th made for a tense finish after he hooked his tee shot into the rough.

The American held his nerve with a closing birdie at the last, however, to seal victory with a closing 67 at 22 under par.

"It's special for a lot of reasons," said Morikawa, who revealed after the round that he and his wife are expecting their first child.

"We just started telling people this week, and we said, 'what better way... to just announce it to the world, if I was able to come out and win,'" he said.

The Californian faced a lengthy delay on the 18th tee while a shot from the group ahead ricocheted off a cliff and into the ocean, but held his nerve to finish a stroke clear of Min Woo Lee and Sepp Straka, with Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood another shot back.

"I tried to look out in the ocean as many times as I can. I love being out here," said Morikawa.

"Pebble Beach... not many places can beat this place in the world."

Lee closed with a 65, bouncing back from a frustrating finish the previous day, while Scheffler produced the round of the tournament.

Starting eight shots back, the American stormed into contention with three eagles and multiple birdies, briefly sharing the lead before settling for a 63 and 20-under total after a late stumble.

"Anytime you've got three eagles in one round, good things are happening... Proud of the way I played today," said Scheffler.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy also finished strongly with a 64 but was left to rue earlier damage in the week.

"I wish I could have those four holes back this week. I played 68 really good ones," said McIlroy.

"But all in all, some really good stuff this week. Pretty encouraged going into next week for sure," added the world No 2.

Morikawa's victory, his first since 2023, adds to major titles at the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship and marks a return to form after a slow start to the season.