A Triumphant Return: Morikawa Clinches the 2023 ZOZO Championship
In a spectacular display of skill and composure, Collin Morikawa has emerged victorious at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour win in two years. The young golfer's return to the winner's circle was nothing short of remarkable as he dominated the field with a finishing score of 14-under par, securing a six-shot lead over his nearest competitors.
Prize Money Breakdown
The tournament boasted an impressive $8.5 million purse, with Morikawa earning a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000. The event, which ran from October 19 through October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. In a rare occurrence for PGA Tour events, all participants were guaranteed prize money due to the absence of a cut, ensuring that every golfer who teed off was compensated for their participation.
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler, who both finished the tournament at 8-under each, tied for second place, walking away with $748,000 apiece. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with scores of 7-under, each taking home $374,000. The payout structure was meticulously detailed down the leaderboard, reflecting the tournament's commitment to competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport.
Noteworthy Performances
A cluster of talent occupied the sixth spot on the leaderboard, with Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun all tying at 6-under par. Each received a check for $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, earned $221,000 each, while Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, all locked in a tie for twelfth place at 4-under, pocketed $178,500 each.
Matt NeSmith finished alone in fifteenth place at 3-under par, securing earnings of $151,640. A three-way tie for sixteenth saw Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery each take home $133,960 for their 2-under par finish. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
Deep into the Leaderboard
The payouts continued deeper into the field, with those tied for twenty-first place at even-par receiving $73,610 each. Players tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par took home around $46,167, while a tie for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par saw each golfer earn $36,210. The forty-first place tie at 3-over par resulted in a payout of $27,710 per player.
Golfers tied for forty-eighth place at 4-over par were compensated with $20,230 each. Meanwhile, those tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each. As the scores increased, the payouts tapered slightly, with players tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earning $16,490 each, and those tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par taking home $15,725 each.
Players tied for sixty-eighth place scored 8-over par and 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 yielded $14,280 per player, and Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940. Ben Taylor, who finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
Morikawa's Milestone
Morikawa's triumph is particularly significant considering his last tour win occurred at the 2021 Open Championship. This victory not only represents a personal milestone but also signals a return to top-level golf for the American, who has demonstrated his ability to compete and prevail against the world's best. His performance at the ZOZO Championship will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight of the season, setting a precedent for what fans can expect from the talented golfer in future tournaments.
The 2023 ZOZO Championship will be noted for its competitive spirit and the exceptional level of play exhibited by Morikawa and his peers. The tournament's unique no-cut format provided an inclusive environment, allowing every golfer the opportunity