A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the ZOZO Championship
It was a moment of redemption and celebration for Collin Morikawa as he clinched the title at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour win in two years. The golfing world witnessed Morikawa's exceptional performance as he finished at 14-under par, securing a six-shot lead over his closest competitors.
Championship Details
The ZOZO Championship, with its generous $8.5 million purse, attracted top talent from around the globe. Held from October 19 to October 22, the event saw notable figures such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler vying for the prestigious title. However, it was Morikawa who emerged victorious, earning a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000. His victory was not only a testament to his skill but also a reminder of his last tour win at the 2021 Open Championship.
No Cut Ensures Payout for All
Unique to this tournament was the no-cut policy, which ensured that each participant received prize money, promoting a spirit of competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport. This format allowed all players, regardless of their final standings, to be compensated for their participation.
Runner-Ups and Notable Finishes
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler admirably tied for second place, each finishing with an 8-under par, which translated into a handsome payday of $748,000 for their efforts. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with commendable performances, concluding the tournament at 7-under each and pocketing $374,000 apiece.
The competition remained tight as Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun tied for sixth place, each carding a 6-under par and taking home $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, earned $221,000 each, further highlighting the depth of talent present at the championship.
Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira found themselves in a three-way tie for twelfth place with a score of 4-under par, each earning $178,500. Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen with a finish at 3-under par, resulting in a payout of $151,640.
Consistency Pays Off
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery ended the tournament tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each securing $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who were tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, walked away with $112,710 each.
Players who achieved a score of even-par were tied for twenty-first place, each receiving $73,610. Those who tied for thirty-first place finished at 1-over par and had earnings around $46,167, while players tied for thirty-eighth place scored 2-over par and each earned $36,210.
The forty-first place tie, at 3-over par, saw players taking home $27,710 each. A score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers in this bracket earning $20,230 each.
Further down the leaderboard, players tied for fifty-first place scored 5-over par and received $17,743.75 each. Those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each, and a group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par secured $15,045 each.
Concluding the Leaderboard
In the lower rungs of the tournament standings, Hayden Buckley placed seventy-second at 9-over par, awarded $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par resulted in each player earning $14,280. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940, while Ben Taylor finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, securing a payout of $13,770.
Morikawa's Momentous Victory
Morikawa's triumph at the ZOZO Championship is more than just another win; it's a powerful statement marking his return to the pinnacle of top-level golf. The payout structure of the tournament, designed to reward every participant, underscores the sport