Who Is Collin Morikawa’s New Coach, Mark Blackburn? Meet the Veteran Mentor of PGA Tour Pros Who Joined His Side in 2023

In his amateur career, Collin Morikawa had acquired six wins. He also served as a part of the winning Arnold Palmer Cup, Walker Cup, and Eisenhower Trophy teams. Moreover, the American star sat at No. 1 for a total of three weeks, as per the World Amateur Golf Ranking. All these feats would not have been possible without the guidance of his long-time coach, Rick Sessinghaus. However, when he turned pro, things changed.

The amazing streak Morikawa had been on broke, and he could not find a win after win like he had done as an amateur. This drove the golf pro to make a crucial decision with regard to his mentor. And now, as he participates in the Hero World Challenge this week, the California-born golfer has introduced the world to his new coach, Mark Blackburn!

Mark Blackburn helped Collin Morikawa win the Zozo Championship

Collin Morikawa acquired his first win on the tour at the Barracuda Championship in July 2019. After that, he went on to win four more events in the next two years, of which two were major championships. But unfortunately, after winning the Open Championship in July 2021, he got stuck in a dry spell.

The winning streak of his performance had died, and he didn’t win for the next two years. As a result, he has to make the hurtful yet necessary decision to leave his old-time coach.

For the last two decades, he has been working with his childhood coach, Rick Sessinghaus, but one month before the Ryder Cup earlier this year, he parted ways and brought on board his new coach, Mark Blackburn. Results thereafter were quick and prompt, and after just a month, Morikawa went on to win the Zozo Championship.

Mark Blackburn is from England and lives in Birmingham, Alabama. The famous coach has previously worked with the likes of Max Homa and Justin Rose and helped them grow their game. Blackburn holds dual citizenship (USA and England); hence, the Ryder Cup for him is always a win-win! For the 2023 Ryder Cup, the coach in fact taught both Homa and Rose, who were on opposing sides, and described it as “such a cool challenge.”

Blackburn runs his own Blackburn Golf Academy in Alabama. As the Director of Instruction there, he teaches golf to the next generation. In 2020, he even won the PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year award. Now, he personally trains Morikawa, who, despite being a new trainer, has not left his old coach, Sessinghaus, entirely behind.

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Blackburn is Morikawa’s new guide, but Sessinghaus remains a friend

Splitting with his old coach was a harsh but much-needed decision Morikawa had to make to grow as a golfer. “What I saw kind of over the past two years wasn’t to my expectations and goals what I wanted, so I brought on Mark Blackburn,” he said at the Hero World Challenge press conference.

And when the questions followed, he soon clarified that although his and Sessinghaus‘ professional relationship had ended, their bond was still strong. Morikawa claimed that he still counts on Sessinghaus, who is a great friend. “He’s more than just a coach. He’s one of my really good friends,” he stated. “Someone I’ve always looked up to, someone that’s been there for every step of my life, essentially, not just in golf but just kind of living life.”

After a good and slump-breaking win last month, and now under new guidance and old friendships, Morikawa is confident as he steps onto the field for the Hero World Challenge. Can the pair double down on their wins? Or will the Zozo Championship remain their sole achievement after this week too? Tune in to find out.

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