The leaderboard tells one story, but as your Lifestyle Editor, I’m always looking for the deeper narrative – the human element that connects us all, from weekend warriors to PGA TOUR pros. And this past weekend at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Collin Morikawa penned a chapter I think we can all relate to.
After a missed cut at the Sony Open, Collin found himself in what he described as a frustrating spot. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there – whether it’s on the course, in our careers, or even in our personal wellness journeys. Those moments where despite putting in the work, the results just aren’t clicking. It’s disheartening, and it can make you question your approach.
But here’s where the magic happened. It wasn’t a technique overhaul or a new swing thought. It was a conversation. A simple yet profound talk with his coach, Rick Sessinghaus, that brought a crucial mindset shift.
Reframing Your Goals: Beyond the Top-20
In a world obsessed with metrics, rankings, and constant comparison, it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of “good enough.” For us everyday golfers, that might be breaking 90, consistently hitting fairways, or just not losing too many balls. For a pro like Collin, it could be striving for top-20 finishes, collecting steady paychecks, or maintaining tour status.
But Sessinghaus’s advice to Collin was wonderfully simple: “Go back to who you were when you first turned pro. Don’t think about top-20s. Focus on winning.”
“When he told me that yesterday,” Morikawa said Saturday, “there was that mindset switch going into today. I wanted to come out and win, win the weekend, win the tournament. Now we’ve given ourselves a chance.”
This isn’t just about golf. It’s about remembering your “why.” Why did you start playing? What initially fueled your passion? Often, our purest motivation isn’t about avoiding failure or hitting a certain arbitrary benchmark, but about the joy of peak performance, the thrill of pushing our limits, and the sheer desire to excel.
I’ve noticed golfers are increasingly focused on their mental game, and Collin’s story is a perfect example of how foundational mindset is to success. It’s not just about physical prowess; it’s about channeling your internal drive to its most powerful setting.
The Power of Intention: What Do You Really Want?
Collin’s shift wasn’t just wanting to win, it was *deciding* to win. It’s an active, intentional choice. How often do we step onto the first tee with a vague hope of playing well, rather than a clear, decisive intention?
“It’s a small mindset adjustment and without him telling me that, who knows what I would have shot today. But I’m out here to win. When you finish 30th, 15th, third, at the end of the day, like I want to win. I’ve got to set that mindset at the beginning of the day, at the beginning of the week, and now I think we’ve given ourselves at least a chance come tomorrow.”
This is a tangible takeaway for every golfer, regardless of handicap. Before your next round, take a moment. Don’t just think about avoiding shanks or three-putts. Instead, declare your intention. Do you want to hit five fairways? Make three birdies? Enjoy every shot, regardless of the outcome? When you set a clear, positive intention, you prime your mind for that specific outcome, creating a powerful feedback loop.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Game & Life:
- **Revisit Your “Why”:** Take a moment to reflect on why you fell in love with golf (or any endeavor) in the first place. Was it the challenge, the camaraderie, the pursuit of mastery? Let that initial spark reignite your current approach.
- **Set Intentions, Not Just Goals:** Instead of “I hope to shoot under 90,” try “I intend to play smartly, commit to every shot, and trust my swing.” The distinction is subtle but powerful.
- **Embrace the “Winning” Mindset:** This doesn’t mean you have to win the club championship every week. It means approaching each round, each practice session, with a desire to perform at your personal best, to excel, and to push yourself beyond merely participating.
- **Seek Outside Perspective:** Collin had his coach. Who is your “Rick Sessinghaus”? Sometimes, an objective voice can cut through our self-imposed limitations and remind us of our true potential and purpose.
And speaking of winning, let’s take a peek at the full story of what a winning performance can mean in tangible terms. While the prize money is for the pros, the lesson for us is universal: a focused, intentional mindset can lead to incredible results.
The Fruits of a Winning Mindset: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Payouts
Collin Morikawa’s mindset shift clearly paid off, catapulting him to the top of the leaderboard and a substantial win. Here’s a breakdown of what the top performers took home, proving that believing in yourself and aiming for the win isn’t just good for the soul – it can be incredibly rewarding.
The total purse for this event was a hefty $20 million, demonstrating the high stakes (and high rewards) that come with a singular focus on winning.
“I’m out here to win. When you finish 30th, 15th, third, at the end of the day, like I want to win. I’ve got to set that mindset at the beginning of the day, at the beginning of the week, and now I think we’ve given ourselves at least a chance come tomorrow.”
This payout structure is a testament to the pursuit of excellence and the rewards it can bring. While our personal golf games might not translate into multi-million dollar paychecks, the satisfaction of playing our best, achieving our personal goals, and embracing that “winning” mindset is priceless.
So, the next time you step onto the course, remember Collin Morikawa’s story. It’s not just about hitting fairways and greens; it’s about the mindset you bring to the tee. Are you playing not to lose, or are you playing to win? The answer might just change your entire game, and perhaps, even a little bit of your life off the course too.
How much every player made at the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
1. Collin Morikawa $3.6 million
T2. Min Woo Lee $1.76 million
Sepp Straka $1.76 million
T4. Scottie Scheffler $877,500
Tommy Fleetwood $877,500
T6. Sam Burns $690,000
Akshay Bhatia $690,000
T8. Ryo Hisatsune $515,000
Shane Lowry $515,000
Nico Echavarria $515,000
Jake Knapp $515,000
Jacob Bridgeman $515,000
Hideki Matsuyama $515,000
T14. Rory McIlroy $342,750
Patrick Cantlay $342,750
Matt Fitzpatrick $342,750
Tom Hoge $342,750
18. Tony Finau $292,000
T19. Russell Henley $235,000
Alex Smalley $235,000
Brian Harman $235,000
Rickie Fowler $235,000
Xander Schauffele $235,000
T24. Harry Hall $162,000
Jason Day $162,000
Nick Taylor $162,000
Ryan Fox $162,000
Harris English $162,000
T29. Keegan Bradley $125,200
Max McGreevy $125,200
Alex Noren $125,200
Jordan Spieth $125,200
Maverick McNealy $125,200
T34. Sami Valimaki $104,000
Mackenzie Hughes $104,000
Taylor Pendrith $104,000
T37. Justin Rose $78,375
Bud Cauley $78,375
J.T. Poston $78,375
Chris Gotterup $78,375
Ludvig Aberg $78,375
Max Greyserman $78,375
Robert MacIntyre $78,375
Ben Griffin $78,375
T45. Ryan Gerard $57,000
J.J. Spaun $57,000
Si Woo Kim $57,000
T48. Pierceson Coody $49,250
Kurt Kitayama $49,250
Billy Horschel $49,250
Andrew Novak $49,250
T52. Patrick Rodgers $45,000
Chris Kirk $45,000
Keith Mitchell $45,000
T55. Cameron Young $42,000
Sam Stevens $42,000
Denny McCarthy $42,000
T58. Viktor Hovland $39,750
Wyndham Clark $39,750
T60. Sahith Theegala $38,250
Aldrich Potgieter $38,250
Garrick Higgo $38,250
Steven Fisk $38,250
T64. Emiliano Grillo $36,500
Marco Penge $36,500
Lucas Glover $36,500
T67. Rico Hoey $35,000
Stephan Jaeger $35,000
Matt McCarty $35,000
T70. Kevin Yu $34,375
Corey Conners $34,375
72. Michael Kim $34,000
T73. Aaron Rai $33,625
Matti Schmid $33,625
T75. Joe Highsmith $33,125
Daniel Berger $33,125
77. Adam Schenk $32,750
T78. Brian Campbell $32,250
Michael Thorbjornsen $32,250
Jhonattan Vegas $32,250
