Morikawa Clinches Victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
In a stunning return to form, Collin Morikawa claimed his first PGA Tour win in two years at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. Demonstrating the poise and precision that once catapulted him to the top of leaderboards, Morikawa emerged victorious with an impressive 14-under par, leaving a six-shot gap between himself and the runners-up.
The tournament, which boasted an $8.5 million purse, unfolded from October 19 to October 22, attracting golf aficionados worldwide. Notable figures such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler graced the field, adding to the event's competitive edge. However, it was Morikawa who stood out, reminding fans and fellow competitors alike of his talent, reminiscent of his last tour win at the 2021 Open Championship.
A No-Cut Event Ensures All Players Are Rewarded
Unique to this championship was its no-cut format, ensuring that each participant received a share of the prize money. This inclusive approach not only rewarded players for their participation but also maintained a spirit of competitiveness throughout the event.
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both finished strong, tying for second place with scores of 8-under each and pocketing $748,000 apiece. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, earning themselves $374,000 each.
The battle for sixth place saw a four-way tie between Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, all finishing at 6-under. Each took home $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, earned $221,000 each.
Further down the leaderboard, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended the tournament tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each receiving $178,500. Matt NeSmith secured fifteenth place with a score of 3-under, earning $151,640 for his efforts.
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery tied for sixteenth at 2-under, with each player taking home $133,960. Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
Detailed Payouts Reflect Tournament's Inclusivity
As the scores climbed above par, the payouts continued to reflect the tournament's commitment to inclusivity. Players who tied for twenty-first place with an even-par score received $73,610 each. Those who tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par had earnings around $46,167, while ties for thirty-eighth at 2-over par yielded $36,210 each.
Forty-first place finishers, scoring 3-over, earned $27,710 each. A tie for forty-eighth place at 4-over resulted in $20,230 per golfer. 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 took home $16,490 each.
The payouts continued to the lower end of the leaderboard. A group tied for sixty-fourth place with scores of 7-over par earned $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth at 8-over par were awarded $15,045 each. Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, received $14,620.
Those involved in the seventy-third place tie at 10-over par earned $14,280 each. Tyson Alexander, who finished seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940. Ben Taylor, despite finishing seventy-seventh with a 20-over par, still took home $13,770, underlining the tournament's ethos of rewarding every participant.
Morikawa's Triumphant Return
Morikawa's triumph at the ZOZO Championship signals more than just a victory; it marks a resounding return to the upper echelons of professional golf. After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Morikawa's performance at this event has re-established him as one of the sport's elite players.
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship underscores the sport's commitment to fairness and inclusivity, ensuring that every competitor is compensated for their efforts. It's a testament to the sport's values and a reflection of the respect held for