Morikawa Clinches Victory at 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa, an American professional golfer, has ended a two-year wait for a PGA Tour win by securing the title at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. The victory marks a significant return to form for Morikawa, whose last tour win was recorded at the 2021 Open Championship.
The ZOZO Championship, which boasts an impressive $8.5 million purse, concluded with Morikawa earning the lion's share of $1,530,000. This prestigious golf event took place over four days, from October 19 to October 22, and saw a host of notable players, including Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, competing for the top spot.
Dominant Performance by Morikawa
Morikawa's performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of dominant. He finished at 14-under par, establishing a comfortable six-shot lead over his closest competitors. This commanding lead underscores Morikawa's skill and composure under pressure, traits that have become synonymous with his style of play on the course.
The no-cut format of the tournament ensured that each participant walked away with a piece of the prize money, further emphasizing the inclusive nature of the event. Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both played exceptionally well, tying for second place with scores of 8-under each, and consequently, they were rewarded with $748,000 apiece.
Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with commendable performances, finishing at 7-under. Their efforts were compensated with individual earnings of $374,000. The competition remained fierce as Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun tied for sixth place, each taking home $275,187.50 with their 6-under par finishes.
Top Ten Finishers and Earnings
Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh managed to secure a tie for tenth place, ending the championship at 5-under. Their performance netted them $221,000 each. A three-way tie for twelfth place saw Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira finish at 4-under par, each earning $178,500 for their efforts.
Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen, finishing at 3-under par and receiving a prize of $151,640. Close behind him, Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery tied for sixteenth place with scores of 2-under, pocketing $133,960 each.
Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala shared nineteenth place with a score of 1-under, each earning $112,710. Players who tied for twenty-first place finished at even-par and received $73,610 each, reflecting the deep payout structure of the tournament.
Earnings Beyond the Top Twenty
The financial rewards extended beyond the top twenty, with players tied for thirty-first place finishing at 1-over par and earning around $46,167 each. Those tied for thirty-eighth at 2-over par took home $36,210, while a tie for forty-first place at 3-over resulted in earnings of $27,710 per player.
A 4-over score led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers in this bracket earning $20,230 each. The payouts continued to be distributed fairly, with those tied for fifty-first at 5-over par receiving $17,743.75 each, and players tied for fifty-ninth at 6-over par getting $16,490 each.
The group tied for sixty-fourth place, scoring 7-over par, earned $15,725 each, while players tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par were awarded $15,045 each. Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was given $14,620, followed closely by those tied for seventy-third at 10-over par, who each earned $14,280.
Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, was compensated with $13,770. These figures exemplify the tournament's commitment to ensuring all participants are rewarded for their participation, fostering a spirit of competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport.
Conclusion
Collin Morikawa's triumph at the ZOZO Championship is more than just a personal milestone; it is a testament to his resilience and determination to