A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Collin Morikawa has made a spectacular return to form by clinching the 2023 ZOZO Championship. The young golf star, whose last victory was at the 2021 Open Championship, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure throughout the tournament, which took place from October 19 to October 22.
Morikawa's Dominant Performance
Morikawa's performance was nothing short of dominant as he finished at 14-under par, securing a six-shot lead over his nearest competitors. This significant margin underscored his mastery over the course and the field, which included notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. Morikawa's victory not only showcases his talent but also marks a significant milestone in his career, reestablishing him as one of the top contenders on the PGA Tour.
Lucrative Earnings
The ZOZO Championship, with its generous $8.5 million purse, rewarded Morikawa handsomely for his triumph. As the champion, Morikawa earned a winner's share of $1,530,000—a substantial addition to his career earnings. The tournament's no-cut format meant that all participants received prize money, ensuring that every golfer who teed off was compensated for their participation, a policy that promotes both competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport.
Runner-Ups and Notable Finishes
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler, who tied for second place, each finished at 8-under par and were awarded $748,000 for their efforts. Close behind them, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, with individual earnings of $374,000.
The competition remained fierce further down the leaderboard. Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun ended the tournament in a tie for sixth place at 6-under, each taking home $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth at 5-under, each pocketed $221,000, while Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, tied for twelfth at 4-under, earned $178,500 each.
Further highlighting the depth of talent in the field, Matt NeSmith finished fifteenth at 3-under par with earnings of $151,640. Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, all tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, secured $133,960 apiece. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala rounded out the top twenty, tying for nineteenth place at 1-under and earning $112,710 each.
The Rest of the Field
Consistent with the inclusive payout structure, players who tied for twenty-first place scored even-par and received $73,610 each. Those who finished at 1-over par, tied for thirty-first place, had earnings around $46,167. Golfers tied for thirty-eighth at 2-over par took home $36,210 each, and those in forty-first place at 3-over earned $27,710 apiece.
As scores increased, payouts naturally tapered, with those tied for forty-eighth at 4-over scoring $20,230 each, and players tied for fifty-first at 5-over receiving $17,743.75 each. The payouts continued to reflect the performance, with players tied for fifty-ninth at 6-over earning $16,490 each, and a group tied for sixty-fourth at 7-over taking home $15,725 each. Even those who struggled found some consolation, with players tied for sixty-eighth at 8-over earning $15,045 each, Hayden Buckley at seventy-second with 9-over getting $14,620, and those in a seventy-third place tie at 10-over receiving $14,280 each.
Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940, while Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770, demonstrating the tournament's commitment to rewarding all participants regardless of their standing.
Conclusion
Collin Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is more than just a win; it's a statement that he is once again a force to be reckoned with in professional golf. The payout structure of the event, favoring inclusivity and competitiveness,