Morikawa Triumphs at ZOZO Championship
In a display of sheer golfing prowess, Collin Morikawa clinched the 2023 ZOZO Championship title, marking his first PGA Tour victory in two years. The tournament, which boasted an $8.5 million purse, concluded with Morikawa earning a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000.
The event, spanning from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Morikawa who dominated the leaderboard, finishing at 14-under par and securing a comfortable six-shot lead over his closest competitors.
Since his last tour win at the 2021 Open Championship, Morikawa's return to the winner's circle has been highly anticipated. His performance at the ZOZO Championship not only reaffirms his status as one of the elite players on the tour but also serves as a testament to his unwavering skill and determination.
Runners-Up and Notable Finishes
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler shared the runner-up spot, tying for second place with commendable scores of 8-under each. Their efforts were rewarded with prize money of $748,000 apiece. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton were hot on their heels, sharing fourth place at 7-under, with each golfer pocketing $374,000.
A quartet of players, including Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, tied for sixth place, each taking home $275,187.50 for their performances at 6-under. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, earned $221,000 each.
The competition remained tight further down the leaderboard as well. Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended the tournament in a tie for twelfth place at 4-under, each earning $178,500. Matt NeSmith finished alone in fifteenth place at 3-under par, securing a payout of $151,640.
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery found themselves in a three-way tie for sixteenth place at 2-under, each receiving $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
Ensuring All Participants Are Rewarded
The ZOZO Championship is unique in that it does not implement a cut, ensuring that all participants receive prize money. This inclusive approach underlines the tournament's commitment to competitiveness and supports every player who tees up in the field.
Golfers who tied for twenty-first place finished at even-par and received $73,610 each. Those tied for thirty-first place, scoring 1-over par, took home around $46,167. A tie for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par resulted in earnings of $36,210 for each player involved.
Players tied for forty-first place, at 3-over, earned $27,710 each. A score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers earning $20,230 each. The payouts continued to reflect the equitable structure of the tournament, with those tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par receiving $17,743.75 each.
The distribution of earnings extended to those further down the leaderboard as well. Players tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each, while those in a tie for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each. Golfers tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par were awarded $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was given $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par saw each player earn $14,280. Tyson Alexander, placing seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940, and Ben Taylor, who finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, was awarded $13,770.
A Return to Form for Morikawa
Collin Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is more than just another win; it signifies a resurgent return to the top echelons of professional golf. With his latest triumph, Morikawa has once again showcased why he is one of the most exciting talents on the tour, captivating fans and fellow