Morikawa's Triumphant Return
Collin Morikawa, a name synonymous with precision and poise on the golf course, has once again etched his name into the winner's circle. The 2023 ZOZO Championship witnessed Morikawa's long-awaited return to the pinnacle of victory, as he claimed his first PGA Tour win in two years. The tournament, boasting an $8.5 million purse, unfolded from October 19 to October 22, featuring some of the most notable talents in golf.
A Commanding Performance
Morikawa's performance was nothing short of dominant. Finishing at 14-under par, he secured a six-shot lead over his closest competitors. This display of skill and control echoed the prowess that won him the 2021 Open Championship, his last tour win prior to the ZOZO Championship. As the final round concluded, it was clear that Morikawa had reclaimed his status as a top-level golfer, demonstrating the kind of championship-caliber golf that fans and fellow players have come to expect from him.
Notable Participants and Prize Money
The event featured a star-studded field, including Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who both vied for the title but ultimately fell short against Morikawa's relentless pursuit of excellence. Despite the competition, every participant left with a share of the prize money, thanks to the tournament's no-cut policy.
In the runner-up position, Eric Cole and Beau Hossler tied for second place, each carding an 8-under par, which earned them $748,000 apiece. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, pocketing $374,000 each for their efforts.
A quartet of players—Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun—tied for sixth place with scores of 6-under, each taking home $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, were awarded $221,000 each.
The ties continued down the leaderboard, with Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira all finishing at 4-under for a twelfth-place tie, earning $178,500 each. Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen with a 3-under par finish, securing $151,640.
Further Standings and Earnings
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery ended the tournament tied for sixteenth at 2-under, each receiving $133,960. Close behind them, Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, earning $112,710 each.
Golfers who finished at even-par tied for twenty-first place, taking home $73,610 each. Those who scored 1-over par tied for thirty-first place, with earnings around $46,167. A score of 2-over par saw players tied for thirty-eighth, each earning $36,210.
Players in forty-first place, who scored 3-over, were awarded $27,710 each. A tie for forty-eighth place at 4-over resulted in earnings of $20,230 per golfer. Those tied for fifty-first at 5-over received $17,743.75 each, while players tied for fifty-ninth at 6-over earned $16,490 each.
As the scores increased, so did the number of tied positions. Golfers tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over took home $15,725 each, and those tied for sixty-eighth at 8-over earned $15,045 each. Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620.
There was a tie for seventy-third place at 10-over par, with each player involved earning $14,280. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940, and Ben Taylor, who finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
Reflecting on the Tournament's Impact
The ZOZO Championship's payout structure is designed to reward all participants, ensuring that every golfer is compensated for their participation. This approach underlines the competitive spirit of the sport while promoting inclusivity among its ranks.
For Collin Morikawa, the triumph at the ZOZO Championship signifies more than just another accolade—it marks a return to form, a reminder