Morikawa Triumphs at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
In a stunning display of skill and composure, Collin Morikawa claimed victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour win since his triumph at the 2021 Open Championship. The tournament, which boasted an $8.5 million purse, concluded with Morikawa securing a winner's share of $1.530 million after leading the field from October 19 to October 22.
A Commanding Lead
The American golfer finished at 14-under par, establishing a commanding six-shot lead over his closest competitors. This impressive margin underscored Morikawa's dominance throughout the event. Notable participants such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler were part of the star-studded lineup that Morikawa outperformed in his pursuit of the title.
Runners-up and Top Finishers
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both delivered commendable performances, tying for second place with a score of 8-under each. Their efforts were rewarded with sizeable earnings of $748,000 apiece. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, each taking home $374,000 for their efforts.
Further down the leaderboard, Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun tied for sixth place, all finishing at 6-under. Each player received a payout of $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, earned $221,000 each, while Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each got $178,500.
Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen with a finish at 3-under par, pocketing $151,640. Close behind him, Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each earning $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
Comprehensive Payout Structure
Reflective of the inclusive nature of the tournament, every participant received prize money due to the absence of a cut. This payout structure not only ensures that all players are compensated for their participation but also promotes competitiveness within the sport. Players who tied for twenty-first place at even-par took home $73,610 each, while those tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par had earnings around $46,167.
Golfers tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par earned $36,210 each. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over saw players receiving $27,710 each, and a 4-over score led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers earning $20,230 each. The payouts continued to reflect the players' standings, with those tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par receiving $17,743.75 each, and those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earning $16,490 each.
Players tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each, and those tied for sixty-eighth place scored 8-over par, earning $15,045 each. Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par resulted in earnings of $14,280 for each involved player, while Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940. Ben Taylor, who finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, still managed to secure a payout of $13,770.
Morikawa's Return to Form
Morikawa's victory is more than just another win; it signifies a return to form for the young golfer. After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle on the PGA Tour, Morikawa's performance at the ZOZO Championship sends a clear message that he remains a force to be reckoned with on the golf course. His ability to maintain poise under pressure and deliver shots when they count most speaks volumes about his talent and potential for future successes.
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship, which rewarded all participants, underscores the ethos of inclusivity and competitiveness that the sport of golf holds dear. As the professional golf circuit continues to evolve, the success of players