A year has passed since Collin Morikawa last appeared on the cover of Golf Digest, and though he is now married to his college sweetheart, Katherine, much remains the same for the American. He is still a two-time major champion, five-time PGA Tour winner and one of the best iron players in the world.

To celebrate his 26th birthday, we want to examine the factors that have contributed to Morikawa’s early-career success, both from a technical and personal perspective. First, let’s take a look at Morikawa’s best tips for improving your game, where he gives you his keys for eight different shots, from the fairway-finder to his familiar fade. In another piece, the Cal grad shows you the moves that have made him a top-five iron player in the world.

Also be sure to check out our cover story on how Morikawa won two majors before turning 25, first published last February. A year on, the feature provides enduring insight about his “borderline pathological competitiveness,” the last-minute changes that helped him win the 2021 Open Championship and why Tiger Woods likens him to “an athletic Jim Furyk.”