Collin Morikawa Triumphs at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Morikawa Clinches Victory at ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has triumphantly returned to the winner's circle with a resounding victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. Demonstrating impeccable skill and composure, Morikawa secured his first PGA Tour win since his major triumph at the 2021 Open Championship, ending a two-year wait for another tour title.
The prestigious event, boasting an $8.5 million purse, concluded on October 22, after four days of competitive play starting from October 19. Morikawa's exceptional performance culminated in a 14-under par finish, granting him a comfortable six-shot lead over his closest competitors.
Top Contenders and Prize Money Breakdown
The tournament featured a star-studded field, including notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Eric Cole and Beau Hossler who emerged as runners-up, tying for second place with commendable 8-under par scores each. Their efforts were rewarded with substantial $748,000 payouts.
Sharing fourth place at 7-under par were Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton, each taking home $374,000. A quartet of players – Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun – finished in a tie for sixth place at 6-under, pocketing $275,187.50 apiece.
The top ten was rounded out by Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth at 5-under par, earning $221,000 each. Close behind them, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended the tournament tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each receiving $178,500.
Further down the leaderboard, Matt NeSmith finished fifteenth with a score of 3-under par, securing a prize of $151,640. Tying for sixteenth place at 2-under were Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, each earning $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala shared nineteenth place at 1-under, both receiving $112,710.
The payout structure extended beyond the top twenty, with those tied for twenty-first place at even-par receiving $73,610 each. Golfers finishing at 1-over par tied for thirty-first, earning around $46,167, while a 2-over par score resulted in a tie for thirty-eighth place, with each golfer earning $36,210.
Players in forty-first place, who scored 3-over, took home $27,710 each. A tie for forty-eighth place at 4-over saw golfers earning $20,230 apiece. Those tied for fifty-first at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each, and players tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490.
As the scores increased, so did the number of ties, with a group tied for sixty-fourth place scoring 7-over par and taking home $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth at 8-over earned $15,045, and Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620.
The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par resulted in earnings of $14,280 for each player involved. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
Inclusivity and Competitiveness in Golf
A distinctive feature of the ZOZO Championship was its no-cut policy, which ensured that all participants received prize money. This inclusive approach not only guarantees compensation for the players' efforts but also fosters a competitive environment where every stroke can impact the final earnings.
This payout structure supports the ethos of competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport, allowing emerging talents to earn alongside seasoned professionals, and providing fans with a comprehensive showcase of high-caliber golf throughout the tournament.
A Triumphant Return for Morikawa
Morikawa's latest victory marks a significant milestone in his career, signaling a return to form for the young golfer. With this win, he reminds the world of his talent and resilience, promising more exciting performances in future tournaments. As the professional golf season continues, all eyes will be on Morikawa to see if he can maintain his winning ways and continue ascending the ranks of golf's elite.