A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Collin Morikawa has once again tasted victory, clinching the 2023 ZOZO Championship with a masterful display of skill and composure. The tournament, which boasted an $8.5 million purse, saw Morikawa secure a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000.
The event, staged from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who were among the strong field vying for the title. However, it was Morikawa who dominated the headlines, finishing at 14-under par, a remarkable six shots clear of his nearest competitors.
Morikawa's previous tour win came at the 2021 Open Championship, making this victory a significant milestone in his career. It not only reaffirms his status as one of the top golfers in the world but also marks a return to form for the young champion.
Prize Money Spread Across the Board
In a show of inclusivity and competitiveness, the ZOZO Championship awarded prize money to all participants, as there was no cut in the tournament. This payout structure ensures that every golfer who tees off is compensated for their participation, supporting both the competitive spirit of the sport and its financial sustainability for professional players.
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler reaped the rewards of their solid performances, tying for second place with 8-under each and earning $748,000 apiece. Close on their heels were Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton, who shared fourth place at 7-under, each pocketing $374,000.
Further down the leaderboard, a four-way tie for sixth place at 6-under saw Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun each taking home $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, tied for tenth place at 5-under, earned a respectable $221,000 each.
The payouts continued with Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, who tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each receiving $178,500. Matt NeSmith finished alone in fifteenth place at 3-under par, securing $151,640 for his efforts.
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery ended the tournament tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each earning $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
Golfers who finished with even-par were tied for twenty-first place, receiving $73,610 each. Those who concluded the event tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par took home around $46,167. A score of 2-over par led to a tie for thirty-eighth place, with each player earning $36,210.
Players in forty-first place, who scored 3-over, were compensated with $27,710 each. A tie for forty-eighth place at 4-over resulted in earnings of $20,230 for each golfer involved. Fifty-first place finishers, scoring 5-over par, received $17,743.75 each.
As the scores increased, so did the ties, with those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earning $16,490 each. Golfers tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each, while those 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. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par saw each player involved earn $14,280. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, earned $13,770.
Conclusion
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is more than just another win; it's a testament to his resilience and ability to compete at the highest level after a period away from the top spot. The comprehensive payout structure, ensuring every player leaves with a prize, highlights the inclusive nature of the tournament and the sport itself. As the golfing season continues, all eyes will be on Morikawa to see if he can build on this success