Morikawa Clinches Victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has emerged victorious at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his triumphant return to the winner's circle after a two-year hiatus. The young golf star, whose last PGA Tour win was at the 2021 Open Championship, dazzled fans and fellow golfers alike with his performance at this prestigious event.
Tournament Details
The ZOZO Championship, known for its hefty $8.5 million purse, took place from October 19 through October 22. Morikawa managed to secure the winner's share of $1,530,000, a testament to his skill and determination on the course. The tournament attracted some of the biggest names in golf, including Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who were among the notable participants vying for the title.
Throughout the event, Morikawa displayed exceptional control and precision, finishing at 14-under par. His performance earned him a comfortable six-shot lead over the runners-up, a gap that underscored his dominance during the tournament.
Runner-Up Finishers
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both played impressively, tying for second place with 8-under each. Their efforts were rewarded with substantial earnings of $748,000 apiece. Close behind them, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place, ending the tournament at 7-under and earning $374,000 each for their top-five finishes.
Top Ten and Beyond
The competition remained fierce as Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun all concluded the event tied for sixth place at 6-under, taking home $275,187.50 each. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, each walked away with $221,000.
Further down the leaderboard, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended up tied for twelfth place at 4-under, pocketing $178,500 each. Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen, finishing at 3-under par and earning $151,640.
In a three-way tie for sixteenth place at 2-under were Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, each claiming $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala weren't far behind, tying for nineteenth place at 1-under and earning $112,710 each.
Payouts Reflecting Competitiveness and Inclusivity
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship ensured that every participant was compensated, reflecting the event's commitment to competitiveness and inclusivity. Those who tied for twenty-first place at even-par received $73,610 each. Players tied for thirty-first and thirty-eighth places, finishing at 1-over and 2-over par respectively, were awarded around $46,167 and $36,210 each.
As the scores increased, the payouts adjusted accordingly. Golfers tied for forty-first place at 3-over took home $27,710 each. A score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with those golfers earning $20,230 each. The fifty-first place tie at 5-over par resulted in earnings of $17,743.75 per player.
Continuing down the list, players tied for fifty-ninth and sixty-fourth places, scoring 6-over and 7-over par respectively, received $16,490 and $15,725 each. Those who finished tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par were not left out, as they earned $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. Even Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940, while Ben Taylor finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, securing $13,770.
Morikawa's Return to Form
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is more than just another win; it signifies his resurgence in top-level golf. After a period without major wins, his triumph is a reminder of his talent and potential. With all participants receiving prize money due to the absence of a cut in the tournament, the event not only celebrated Morikawa's success but also highlighted the depth of skill present