Morikawa's Triumphant Return
After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Collin Morikawa has emerged victorious at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. The young golfer, whose last win was at the prestigious Open Championship in 2021, has once again showcased his exceptional talent on the golf course.
A Commanding Performance
Morikawa's performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of dominant. Finishing at 14-under par, he maintained a comfortable six-shot lead over his nearest competitors. This remarkable victory not only highlights Morikawa's skill and determination but also signals his return to the top echelons of the golfing world.
The event, which took place from October 19 to October 22, featured a strong field of participants including notable names such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Morikawa who stood out, securing the lion's share of the $8.5 million purse with a winner's prize of $1,530,000.
Prize Money Breakdown
The ZOZO Championship's unique no-cut policy ensured that all participants received a share of the prize money, fostering a spirit of competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport. Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both performed admirably, tying for second place with scores of 8-under each, and taking home $748,000 apiece.
Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with commendable 7-under par finishes, earning $374,000 each. The sixth-place tie included Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, all of whom finished at 6-under and were rewarded with $275,187.50 each for their efforts.
Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, tied for tenth place at 5-under par, earned $221,000 each. A three-way tie for twelfth place saw Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira finishing at 4-under, each receiving $178,500.
Further down the leaderboard, Matt NeSmith claimed fifteenth place with a score of 3-under par, pocketing $151,640. The sixteenth place tie included Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, all scoring 2-under par and each earning $133,960.
Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each. Players who tied for twenty-first place and scored even-par received $73,610 each, while those tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par took home around $46,167.
Golfers tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par earned $36,210 each. The forty-first place tie at 3-over resulted in earnings of $27,710 per player. A 4-over score led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with each golfer earning $20,230.
Players tied for fifty-first at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each. Those tied for fifty-ninth place with scores of 6-over par earned $16,490 each, and a group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each.
Players tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par earned $15,045 each. Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620. Tying for seventy-third place at 10-over par meant each player involved earned $14,280.
Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured earnings of $13,940, while Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
Reflecting on the Tournament
The ZOZO Championship's payout structure is designed to reward all players for their participation, underlining the event's commitment to supporting players across the spectrum. This approach not only ensures financial compensation for the athletes but also promotes a competitive spirit that is integral to the game of golf.
Collin Morikawa's impressive win at this year's championship is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. It marks a significant milestone in his career, reaffirming his status as one of the premier golfers on the PGA Tour. As the golfing community celebrates Morikawa's return to form, fans and fellow players alike will be eagerly anticipating his next move on the