A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has once again tasted victory on the PGA Tour, claiming the title at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. This win marks a significant milestone in Morikawa's career, as it is his first tour win since his triumph at the 2021 Open Championship, signaling a return to form for the young golf star.
The ZOZO Championship, with its substantial $8.5 million purse, was held from October 19 through October 22. The event saw a host of top-tier golfers vying for the title, including Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who were among the notable participants. Yet, it was Morikawa who emerged victorious, finishing the tournament at 14-under par and securing a winner's share of $1,530,000.
Morikawa's performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of dominant. He managed to secure a six-shot lead over the runners-up, a gap that speaks volumes about his control and consistency over the four days of competition. His last win at the Open Championship two years prior set high expectations, and with this commanding performance, Morikawa has certainly lived up to them.
Runners-Up and Top Finishers
The battle for second place ended in a tie between Eric Cole and Beau Hossler, who both finished the tournament at 8-under each. Their impressive play earned them a handsome payout of $748,000 apiece. Close behind them, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with scores of 7-under, taking home $374,000 each.
A quartet of players—Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun—found themselves knotted at 6-under par, tying for sixth place and earning $275,187.50 each. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, each walked away with $221,000.
Further down the leaderboard, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended the tournament tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each earning $178,500. Matt NeSmith claimed fifteenth place at 3-under par, pocketing $151,640 for his efforts.
The ties continued down the line, with Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery all finishing at 2-under, tying for sixteenth place and earning $133,960 each. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, took home $112,710 each.
Payouts Across the Board
The unique structure of the ZOZO Championship ensured that every golfer who participated was rewarded for their participation. Those who tied for twenty-first place at even-par received $73,610 each, while the group tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par had earnings around $46,167.
Players tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par earned $36,210 each, and those in forty-first place at 3-over took home $27,710 each. A score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with each golfer earning $20,230.
As the scores increased, so did the ties, with players tied for fifty-first place at 5-over receiving $17,743.75 each. Those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over earned $16,490 each, and the group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over took home $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth place scored 8-over and earned $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley placed seventy-second at 9-over par, awarded $14,620, while the seventy-third place tie at 10-over par earned each player $14,280. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
This comprehensive payout structure not only ensures compensation for all competitors but also supports the spirit of competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport of golf.
Looking Forward
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is more than just another win; it is a testament to his resilience and determination to remain at the pinnacle of the sport. The young golfer's return to the winner's circle serves as a reminder of his talent and potential