A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
In a stunning display of skill and composure, Collin Morikawa clinched the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour win in two years. The victory not only represents a significant personal milestone for Morikawa but also underscores his return to the pinnacle of competitive golf.
The ZOZO Championship, with its substantial $8.5 million purse, saw Morikawa emerge victorious, securing a winner's share of $1,530,000. The tournament, which ran from October 19 through October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who witnessed Morikawa's mastery on the course firsthand.
Dominant Performance
Morikawa's performance was nothing short of dominant. He finished at 14-under par, comfortably ahead with a six-shot lead over the nearest contenders. This impressive finish harks back to his last tour win at the 2021 Open Championship, reminding fans and competitors alike of his prowess on the green.
The ZOZO Championship is known for its no-cut policy, ensuring that all participants receive prize money. This structure promotes competitiveness while fostering inclusivity, allowing each golfer the chance to play through all four rounds and earn their share of the purse.
Notable Finishes
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler shared the runner-up spot, tying for second place with commendable 8-under performances. Their efforts were rewarded with earnings of $748,000 each. Close behind them, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton tied for fourth place, each finishing at 7-under par and earning $374,000 for their achievements.
A four-way tie for sixth place featured Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, all of whom ended the tournament at 6-under and took home $275,187.50 each. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, earned $221,000 apiece.
The competition remained tight further down the leaderboard. Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended up tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each pocketing $178,500. Matt NeSmith finished alone in fifteenth place at 3-under par, claiming $151,640 in prize money.
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, all of whom scored 2-under, tied for sixteenth place, earning themselves $133,960 each. At 1-under, Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala shared nineteenth place, with both players taking home $112,710.
Prize Money Breakdown
The distribution of the purse continued with those tied for twenty-first place at even-par receiving $73,610 each. Players who finished tied for thirty-first at 1-over par had earnings around $46,167, and those tied for thirty-eighth at 2-over par took home $36,210 each.
As scores increased, the payouts adjusted accordingly. Golfers tied for forty-first at 3-over earned $27,710 each, while a tie for forty-eighth place at 4-over resulted in $20,230 per player. Those tied for fifty-first at 5-over received $17,743.75 each, and players tied for fifty-ninth at 6-over earned $16,490 each.
Continuing down the list, a group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth at 8-over par secured $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 saw each player involved earn $14,280, while Tyson Alexander, placing seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940. Ben Taylor, who finished the tournament at 20-over par in seventy-seventh place, secured $13,770.
Morikawa's Resurgence
Collin Morikawa's triumph at the ZOZO Championship is not just about the financial reward. It signifies a resurgence, a return to form for a golfer who has already demonstrated significant potential and success early in his career. With this win, Morikawa sends a clear message to the world of golf: he is a force to be reckoned with once more, ready to