HOYLAKE, England — Collin Morikawa expected more.
When he won the 2021 British Open at Royal St. Georges, it was Morikawa’s second major championship victory at age 24.
Since then, he’s come close in some majors but has not won another.
Morikawa was fifth at both the Masters and U.S. Open last year and 10th at the Masters this past April.
“I would say the last two years have been interesting, not the way I would have guessed it would have gone two years ago, but that’s golf and that’s life,’’ Morikawa said Tuesday. “Would I have changed anything, would I have done anything different?
“Maybe a couple things, but it’s all about putting that game plan together, refining things, knowing what you’re going to do, and I think I’ve kind of done that and gotten better.
“Being in contention two weeks ago [at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, where he lost in a playoff] was the best feeling. Walking down those last nine holes, it felt like it was just back to normal. The playoff didn’t go the way I wanted, but it just felt comfortable. To know that that’s still there, that’s the best feeling.
“Absolutely I do want to be back on top. I know it’s going to come. I don’t know when. Hopefully this week. But it’s going to happen.’’
Morikawa shook up his pre-Open routine this year, opting not to play the Scottish Open the week before and instead playing links golf with some buddies and attending Wimbledon.
“I just haven’t played well the past two years [and] I was like, ‘Screw it. Why not get some extra prep, come out here early, get ready, get adjusted?’ ’’ he said. “So, we played some great golf courses. I was able to play Walton Heath, where they’re having the women’s Open, played West Lancashire Saturday and Royal Birkdale on Sunday.
“I got some really good prep in. It was a well-needed kind of two weeks off, get some prep in, and feels great to come into this major. I was able to go to Wimbledon on Thursday, and it’s cool to take something in as a fan.’’
Morikawa will play with Max Homa and Tyrrell Hatton in the first two rounds, calling it “one of my favorite pairings I’ve ever had.
“Max obviously because I’ve gotten very close with him. I call him a really, really good friend and he’s obviously a lot of fun to play with. But Tyrrell, when people ask me who I like to play with, I say his name because it’s entertaining. It’s enjoyable. He doesn’t disrupt you. He doesn’t slow you down.
“It truly is one of the best pairings I could ask for.’’
Tournament organizers and security are bracing for potential protests around Royal Liverpool this week from “Just Stop Oil,’’ a group of demonstrators attempting to force the British government to end fossil-fuel licensing and production.
The group has been targeting sports and entertainment venues to protest, including at Wimbledon and rugby’s Premiership final in recent weeks.
The R&A, which runs the Open, and local authorities have increased security presence at Hoylake, including a number of plain-clothes officers.
The Merseyside police issued a statement, stating, “Contingency plans are in place to allow visitors to enjoy the Open with minimal disruption.”
In the case of protesters running onto the course during play, players have been told not to tackle them and allow police and security to handle the situation.
Jon Rahm, when asked about what he might do in the case of a protester running onto the course near him, joked, “Well, I don’t know. I do have a reputation [for his temper], so I hope they don’t catch me on a bad hole.’’
Among some of the marquee groupings are: Rory McIlroy, Rahm and Justin Rose, who play at 9:59 a.m. Eastern on Thursday; Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood and Adam Scott at 4:47 a.m.; Jordan Spieth, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Jason Day at 4:03 a.m.; Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre at 5:09 a.m.; and defending champion Cam Smith, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark at 4:58 a.m.