A Triumphant Return: Morikawa Clinches the 2023 ZOZO Championship
After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Collin Morikawa made a triumphant return by securing victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. The prestigious tournament, boasting an $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa claim a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.
The ZOZO Championship, which unfolded over four days from October 19 to October 22, featured a star-studded field including notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Morikawa who emerged victorious, finishing at 14-under par and establishing a commanding six-shot lead over his closest competitors.
Morikawa's last tour win was celebrated at the 2021 Open Championship, and this latest triumph signals his resurgence to the top echelons of the golfing world. The ZOZO Championship is unique in its format, as all participants are guaranteed prize money due to the absence of a cut, promoting competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport.
Runners-Up and Noteworthy Performances
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler shared the runner-up spot, each finishing the tournament with commendable 8-under pars. Their efforts were rewarded with handsome earnings of $748,000 apiece. Just a stroke behind, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton tied for fourth place, each taking home $374,000 for their performances at 7-under.
Further down the leaderboard, a quartet of players—Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun—tied for sixth place at 6-under, each receiving $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, earned $221,000 each, demonstrating the depth of talent present at the championship.
Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, all of whom tied for twelfth place at 4-under, were awarded $178,500 each. Matt NeSmith, finishing fifteenth at 3-under par, pocketed $151,640, while Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, tied for sixteenth at 2-under, each walked away with $133,960.
Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala ended the tournament tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, earning $112,710 each, showcasing the competitive nature of the event where every stroke can make a significant difference in the final standings and payouts.
Comprehensive Payouts Reflecting Golf's Inclusivity
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship reflects a commitment to rewarding all players for their participation. Those who tied for twenty-first place with even-par scores received $73,610 each. Meanwhile, players tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par took home around $46,167, and those tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par earned $36,210 each.
As the scores increased, the earnings tapered accordingly, but all participants were duly compensated. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over par resulted in payouts of $27,710 per player. Golfers tied for forty-eighth place at 4-over earned $20,230 each, and those tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each.
Even as the placements dipped, the championship ensured that players were recognized for their efforts. Those tied for fifty-ninth and sixty-fourth places, scoring 6-over and 7-over respectively, earned $16,490 and $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par took home $15,045, while Hayden Buckley, placing seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620.
The concluding spots saw the seventy-third place tie at 10-over par yield earnings of $14,280 each, Tyson Alexander in seventy-sixth at 11-over par secure $13,940, and Ben Taylor finish seventy-seventh at 20-over par with $13,770.
This comprehensive payout structure not only supports the athletes financially but also fosters a spirit of inclusivity and fair play, ensuring that every golfer who tees off is recognized for their skill and dedication to the sport.
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship not only adds another accolade to his impressive resume but also marks a significant comeback,