Morikawa Triumphs at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has once again proven his mettle on the golf course with a resounding victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Morikawa's impressive performance culminated in a six-shot lead to clinch the title, finishing at 14-under par. The win is a significant milestone, marking his first PGA Tour victory since his triumph at the 2021 Open Championship.
Prize Money Breakdown
The tournament boasted an $8.5 million purse, with Morikawa taking home a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000. The event, which ran from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who added to the competitive atmosphere of the championship.
In a unique twist for the tournament, all participants were guaranteed prize money due to the absence of a cut. This decision underscored a commitment to inclusivity and ensured that every golfer was compensated for their participation, fostering a spirit of competitiveness across the board.
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler shared the runner-up spot, each finishing the tournament at 8-under par and earning $748,000 for their efforts. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton followed closely, tying for fourth place with scores of 7-under, which netted them each $374,000 in prize money.
A four-way tie for sixth place saw Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun finish at 6-under par, with each player pocketing $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, were awarded $221,000 each.
Further down the leaderboard, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended up in a three-way tie for twelfth place with a score of 4-under, each earning $178,500. Matt NeSmith secured fifteenth place at 3-under par, which translated into a payout of $151,640.
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery finished in a tie for sixteenth place at 2-under, resulting in earnings of $133,960 each. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala were not far behind, tying for nineteenth place at 1-under and earning $112,710 apiece.
The payouts continued to be distributed as such: those who tied for twenty-first place at even-par received $73,610 each; thirty-first place finishers at 1-over par took home around $46,167; and players tied for thirty-eighth at 2-over par earned $36,210 each.
Forty-first place, which was tied at 3-over par, saw players receiving $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 a payout of $17,743.75 per player.
Golfers who finished tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par took home $16,490 each, while those tied for sixty-fourth at 7-over par were awarded $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par earned $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, received $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par resulted in earnings of $14,280 for each involved player. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured a payout of $13,940. Finally, Ben Taylor, who finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, was awarded $13,770.
Morikawa's Return to Form
Morikawa's victory is more than just a return to the top tier of golf; it is a testament to his resilience and talent. His dominant performance at the ZOZO Championship serves as a reminder of his capabilities when in peak form. As the golf world looks on, many will be eager to see if this win heralds a new chapter of sustained success for the young golfer.
The ZOZO Championship has once again delivered an exciting spectacle of golf, combining high stakes with a payout structure that promotes inclusivity and rewards all participants. It's these elements that continue to make the sport both thrilling to watch and