Morikawa's Triumphant Return
After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Collin Morikawa made a resounding return with his victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. The young golf sensation showcased his skill and poise throughout the tournament, culminating in a six-shot lead that secured his first PGA Tour win since his triumph at the 2021 Open Championship.
A Commanding Performance
Morikawa's performance was nothing short of dominant. Finishing at 14-under par, he left little doubt about his readiness to reclaim his spot among golf's elite. The final leaderboard reflected Morikawa's commanding presence, as he outpaced his closest competitors, Eric Cole and Beau Hossler, who tied for second place at 8-under each.
The competition at the ZOZO Championship was stiff, featuring notable names such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, neither managed to close the gap on Morikawa, who led the field with unwavering consistency over the four-day event which took place from October 19 to October 22.
Lucrative Earnings
The financial stakes were high at this prestigious event, boasting an $8.5 million purse. Morikawa's share amounted to a substantial $1,530,000, a fitting reward for his stellar play. Runners-up Cole and Hossler each walked away with $748,000, while Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton, who shared fourth place at 7-under par, earned $374,000 apiece.
Further down the leaderboard, the rewards continued to reflect the championship's lucrative nature. Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, all tied for sixth place at 6-under, received checks for $275,187.50 each. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, were compensated with $221,000 each. Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, who tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each took home $178,500.
Matt NeSmith finished fifteenth at 3-under par, earning $151,640, while Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, pocketed $133,960 each. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, each earned $112,710.
Inclusive Payout Structure
The ZOZO Championship is known for its inclusive payout structure, ensuring that all participants receive prize money due to the absence of a cut in the tournament. This approach not only supports competitiveness but also inclusivity, allowing every golfer to leave with compensation for their efforts. Those tied for twenty-first place scored even-par and received $73,610 each, while players tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par had earnings around $46,167.
As scores rose above par, the payouts adjusted accordingly, yet still provided a respectable sum. Players tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par each earned $36,210, and those in forty-first place at 3-over took home $27,710 each. A score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers earning $20,230 each, and those tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each.
Even as the leaderboard extended, the tournament maintained its commitment to rewarding all competitors. Players tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each, and those tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each. The payouts continued with players tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par earning $15,045 each, Hayden Buckley placing seventy-second at 9-over par awarded $14,620, and the seventy-third place tie at 10-over par earning $14,280 each. Tyson Alexander placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par with earnings of $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
Conclusion
Collin Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship marks a significant milestone in his career, signaling a return to the top echelons of professional golf. The event not only celebrated Morikawa's exceptional talent but also highlighted the sport's commitment to providing a competitive yet supportive environment for its athletes. As the