Morikawa Triumphs at ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has emerged victorious at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour win since the 2021 Open Championship. The golf prodigy showcased a return to form with an impressive 14-under par finish, securing a six-shot lead over the closest contenders in a field that included notable players such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler.
The tournament, which spanned from October 19 to October 22, boasted an $8.5 million purse, with Morikawa earning a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000. This significant victory comes after a two-year hiatus from the top spot on the leaderboard, reasserting Morikawa's status as one of the elite players in the sport.
Comprehensive Earnings for Competitors
Unlike many other tournaments, the ZOZO Championship featured no cut, ensuring that all participants received prize money. This structure not only supports competitiveness but also promotes inclusivity among golfers. Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both performed admirably, tying for second place with scores of 8-under each, and were rewarded with $748,000 apiece for their efforts.
Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, each taking home $374,000. A four-way tie for sixth place saw Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun finishing at 6-under, with each player earning $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, received $221,000 each, while Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, tied for twelfth place at 4-under, pocketed $178,500 each.
Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen with a 3-under par finish, earning $151,640. Close behind him, Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each securing $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, with earnings of $112,710 each.
The payouts continued down the line, reflecting the depth of talent in the field. Players who tied for twenty-first place scored even-par and received $73,610 each. Those tied for thirty-first place finished at 1-over par, with earnings around $46,167. Players tied for thirty-eighth place, scoring 2-over par, earned $36,210 each, while the forty-first place tie at 3-over saw players taking home $27,710 each.
A 4-over score led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers earning $20,230 each. Players tied for fifty-first place, scoring 5-over par, received $17,743.75 each. Those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each, and a group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth place scored 8-over par and earned $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley placed seventy-second at 9-over par, awarded $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par resulted in each player earning $14,280. 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.
A Resurgence of Talent
Morikawa's victory is not just a personal triumph but a signal of his resurgence in top-level golf. After a period without major wins, his performance at the ZOZO Championship has undoubtedly put him back in the spotlight and reminded fans and fellow competitors of his exceptional talent and composure on the course.
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship highlights the rewarding nature of professional golf, where every player who tees up has the opportunity to earn. It's a testament to the sport's commitment to its athletes, allowing them to compete for substantial financial rewards regardless of their final standing. As the golf season continues, eyes will surely be on Morikawa to see if he can maintain this high level of play and continue to be a dominant force in the game.
With this win under his belt, Morikawa's career is once again on an upward trajectory, and his future within the sport looks brighter than ever. Fans, commentators, and fellow golfers