Morikawa Clinches Victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa emerged victorious at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking a significant return to form with his first PGA Tour win in two years. The tournament, boasting an $8.5 million purse, concluded with Morikawa securing a winner's share of $1,530,000.
The event, which spanned from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Morikawa who dominated the field, finishing at 14-under par and establishing a comfortable six-shot lead over his closest competitors.
Morikawa's triumph at the ZOZO Championship is a reminder of his talent, echoing his last tour win at the 2021 Open Championship. This victory not only cements his status as a top golfer but also serves as a testament to his skill and perseverance on the course.
Runner-Ups and Top Finishers
The battle for second place saw a tie between Eric Cole and Beau Hossler, who both finished the tournament at 8-under each. Their performance earned them a respectable $748,000 apiece. Close behind, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with scores of 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 at 6-under, each taking home earnings of $275,187.50. Meanwhile, Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh tied for tenth place at 5-under, with each earning $221,000.
The competition remained tight as Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended up in a three-way tie for twelfth place at 4-under, each receiving $178,500. Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen, finishing at 3-under par and earning $151,640.
Additional Noteworthy Performances
The group tied for sixteenth included Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, all scoring 2-under and earning $133,960 each. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 apiece.
Players who achieved a score of even-par were tied for twenty-first place, each receiving $73,610. A score of 1-over led to a tie for thirty-first place, with those golfers earning approximately $46,167 each. Those who tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par took home $36,210.
The forty-first place tie at 3-over saw players earning $27,710 each. A score of 4-over resulted in a tie for forty-eighth place, with participants earning $20,230 each. Golfers tied for fifty-first at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each, while those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each.
Continuing down the leaderboard, a group tied for sixty-fourth place scored 7-over par, taking home $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par secured earnings of $15,045 each. Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620.
The tie for seventy-third place at 10-over par resulted in earnings of $14,280 for each player involved. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
Inclusive Payout Structure
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship ensured that all participants were compensated for their participation, reflecting the inclusive nature of the tournament. This approach supports competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport, allowing every golfer to leave with a reward for their effort and dedication.
A Return to Prominence
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is more than just a win; it symbolizes a resurgence to the pinnacle of professional golf. His commanding performance throughout the tournament serves as a clear message that he remains a formidable force on the PGA Tour. With this win under his belt, the golf world will undoubtedly be watching Morikawa's next move with great anticipation.