A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 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. This long-awaited win reaffirms Morikawa's status as one of the premier golfers on the tour, showcasing his ability to navigate through a competitive field and emerge victorious.
Commanding Lead Seals the Deal
Morikawa's performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of exceptional. Finishing at 14-under par, he secured a six-shot lead over the closest competitors, a margin that speaks volumes about his dominance during the event. The ZOZO Championship, which took place from October 19 to October 22, saw Morikawa outclass a field that included notable players such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler.
The victory not only signifies Morikawa's return to the winner's circle but also comes with a substantial financial reward. With an overall purse of $8.5 million, Morikawa earned a winner's share of $1,530,000, a fitting prize for a champion of his caliber.
Runners-up and Top Finishers
The battle for second place concluded with Eric Cole and Beau Hossler tying at 8-under each, both taking home $748,000 for their efforts. Not far behind them were Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton, who shared fourth place at 7-under, each earning $374,000.
A group consisting of Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun finished tied for sixth place at 6-under, with each golfer receiving $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, were awarded $221,000 apiece, while Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, all tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each pocketed $178,500.
Further down the leaderboard, Matt NeSmith finished fifteenth at 3-under par, earning $151,640. Tied for sixteenth place at 2-under were Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, each taking home $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, each earned $112,710.
Ensuring Fair Compensation
One of the unique aspects of the ZOZO Championship is its no-cut policy, ensuring that all participants receive prize money. This structure supports competitiveness and inclusivity in the sport, allowing every golfer who tees up a chance to be compensated for their participation. Those who tied for twenty-first place at even-par received $73,610 each, while players tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par took home around $46,167.
As scores increased, payouts adjusted accordingly. Golfers tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par earned $36,210 each. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over meant players earned $27,710 apiece. Those tied for forty-eighth place at 4-over received $20,230 each, and players tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par were awarded $17,743.75 each.
Continuing down the list, players tied for fifty-ninth place scored 6-over par and earned $16,490 each. A tie for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par resulted in payouts of $15,725 each, and those tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par took home $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 earn $14,280, while Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940. Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, rounded out the payouts with $13,770.
Morikawa's Momentous Victory
Morikawa's latest achievement is a testament to his resilience and dedication to the game. After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, this victory is a reminder of his talent and potential to continue shaping the future of golf. As the PGA Tour progresses, Morikawa's win at the ZOZO Championship will undoubtedly be highlighted as a defining moment of the season