A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa, a name that resonates with poise and talent on the golf course, has once again proven his mettle by clinching the 2023 ZOZO Championship. This victory comes as a significant milestone, marking his first PGA Tour win since his triumph at the 2021 Open Championship two years ago.
The ZOZO Championship, which boasts an impressive $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa's exceptional play as he finished at 14-under par, securing a winner's share of $1,530,000. The event, held from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who watched as Morikawa led the field with a commanding six-shot lead over the runners-up.
Runners-Up and Noteworthy Finishes
The competition for second place was fierce, with Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both finishing at 8-under each. Their stellar performances earned them a substantial $748,000 apiece. Close on their heels were Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton, who shared fourth place at 7-under, each taking home $374,000.
A quartet of players—Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun—tied for sixth place at 6-under, each receiving $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, were awarded $221,000 each for their efforts.
The tournament also saw Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira finish in a three-way tie for twelfth place at 4-under, with each player earning $178,500. Matt NeSmith wrapped up the top fifteen, finishing at 3-under par and pocketing $151,640.
The Rest of the Field
The competitive spirit of the tournament extended beyond the top contenders. Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery all tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, earning $133,960 each. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, walked away with $112,710 apiece.
Golfers who tied for twenty-first place scored an even-par and received $73,610 each. Those who finished tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par took home around $46,167, while players tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par earned $36,210 each. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over saw players earning $27,710 each.
Further down the leaderboard, a score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with those golfers earning $20,230 each. Players tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each, and those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each. Golfers tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each, and those tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par earned $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley placed seventy-second at 9-over par, being awarded $14,620. Tied for seventy-third place at 10-over, each player involved earned $14,280. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940, while Ben Taylor finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, earning $13,770.
Inclusive Payout Structure
The ZOZO Championship's payout structure is designed to ensure all participants are compensated for their participation, supporting competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport. This approach not only rewards the victors but also acknowledges the effort of every golfer who tees up at the event.
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship does more than just add another accolade to his already impressive resume; it signals a return to top-level golf for the young champion. His performance throughout the tournament showcased the skill and determination that have made him one of the most exciting talents on the PGA Tour. As the golf world celebrates Morikawa's latest success, many will be watching with keen interest to see how he builds on this victory in the tournaments to come.