A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the ZOZO Championship
In a dazzling display of skill and composure, Collin Morikawa clinched his first PGA Tour win in two years at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. With a final score of 14-under par, Morikawa not only secured the title but also demonstrated that his talents remain sharp as ever, marking a significant return to the pinnacle of competitive golf.
The ZOZO Championship, boasting an $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa earning a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000. The tournament, which ran from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who added to the event's competitive edge.
Morikawa's performance was nothing short of dominant. He finished with a six-shot lead over the runners-up, showcasing the same level of excellence that earned him his last tour victory at the 2021 Open Championship. This recent triumph serves to reaffirm Morikawa's status among golf's elite.
Runners-Up and Top Finishers
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler admirably tied for second place, each carding an 8-under par. Their efforts were rewarded with a handsome payout of $748,000 apiece. Close on their heels, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, each taking home $374,000.
The competition remained fierce further down the leaderboard. A four-way tie for sixth place at 6-under included Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, all of whom received checks for $275,187.50. Meanwhile, Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, earned $221,000 each.
Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira found themselves in a three-way tie for twelfth place at 4-under, each pocketing $178,500. Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen with a finish at 3-under par, securing earnings of $151,640.
The Financial Stakes
The ZOZO Championship's inclusive payout structure ensured that all participants walked away with prize money, a nod to the sport's commitment to competitiveness and inclusivity. Even those who tied for the later spots were compensated for their participation, reflecting the tournament's support for professional golfers at every level.
For instance, Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, who tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each earned $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, tied for nineteenth at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
Players who finished at even-par and tied for twenty-first place received $73,610 each. The payouts continued to be generous down the line, with those tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par earning approximately $46,167, and players tied for thirty-eighth at 2-over taking home $36,210 each.
The forty-first place tie at 3-over saw players earning $27,710 apiece, while a 4-over score led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with each golfer receiving $20,230. Further down, players tied for fifty-first at 5-over par were given $17,743.75 each.
Continuing the trend, those who scored 6-over par and tied for fifty-ninth place earned $16,490 each. A group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each, and players tied for sixty-eighth at 8-over par earned $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par resulted in each player involved earning $14,280. Tyson Alexander, placing seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, earned $13,770.
Reflecting on Morikawa's Victory
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is more than just another accolade; it signifies a resurgence of a champion golfer. After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Morikawa has reestablished himself as a formidable force on the PGA Tour. The impressive six-shot margin of victory underlines his