Morikawa Triumphs at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
In a stunning display of skill and poise, Collin Morikawa has clinched the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour victory in two years. The tournament, boasting an impressive $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa secure a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000. The event, which ran from October 19 through October 22, included notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler among its participants.
Morikawa's performance was nothing short of spectacular, finishing at 14-under par, a full six shots ahead of his closest competitors. This triumph comes after a relative dry spell since his last tour win at the 2021 Open Championship, signaling a formidable return to the top echelons of professional golf. The ZOZO Championship is known for its unique approach to prize distribution, where all participants receive compensation due to the absence of a cut, promoting both competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport.
Runner-Ups and Notable Finishes
The battle for second place ended in a tie between Eric Cole and Beau Hossler, who both finished the tournament with commendable 8-under pars. Their efforts were rewarded with a handsome payout of $748,000 each. Close on their heels, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, each taking home earnings of $374,000.
A four-way tie for sixth place saw Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun finish at 6-under, with each golfer pocketing $275,187.50. Meanwhile, Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, earned $221,000 each, showcasing the depth of talent present throughout the field.
Further down the leaderboard, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended up in a three-way tie for twelfth place at 4-under, each earning $178,500. Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen, finishing at 3-under par and earning $151,640 for his efforts.
Earnings Across the Board
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery finished the tournament tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each securing $133,960. At 1-under par, Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala found themselves in a tie for nineteenth place, with individual earnings of $112,710.
Players who managed an even-par score tied for twenty-first place, each receiving $73,610. Those who finished at 1-over par were grouped in a tie for thirty-first place, with payouts around $46,167. A 2-over par score led to a tie for thirty-eighth place, earning each player $36,210, while those tied for forty-first at 3-over took home $27,710 each.
Golfers tied for forty-eighth place, scoring 4-over par, were awarded $20,230 each. Players tied for fifty-first at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each, and those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each. The group tied for sixty-fourth place, scoring 7-over par, took home $15,725 each, and 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. Tied for seventy-third place at 10-over par, each player involved earned $14,280. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured earnings of $13,940. Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, was compensated with $13,770.
Reflecting on Morikawa's Victory
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship underscores the ethos of the PGA Tour: rewarding every player for their participation and fostering a spirit of competition. For Morikawa, this victory not only represents a significant paycheck but also a momentous occasion that reaffirms his status as one of the premier golfers in the world.
With this win, Morikawa has once again proven his mettle against a field of seasoned professionals and emerging talents. His ability to maintain composure under pressure and execute shots with precision has been a hallmark of his play, and it was on full display throughout the tournament. As