Morikawa's Triumphant Return
Collin Morikawa, an emerging star in the golf world, has once again tasted victory on the PGA Tour by securing the 2023 ZOZO Championship title. This win marks a significant milestone for Morikawa as it represents his first tour win since his triumph at the 2021 Open Championship two years ago.
The ZOZO Championship, with its substantial $8.5 million purse, saw Morikawa emerge victorious, earning a 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, adding prestige to Morikawa's win.
Morikawa's performance was nothing short of dominant. Finishing at 14-under par, he held a commanding six-shot lead over the runners-up, showcasing the skill and poise that have become hallmarks of his game. His last tour victory at the 2021 Open Championship had set a high bar, and with this win, Morikawa has reaffirmed his status as one of the top competitors in the sport.
Prize Money Breakdown
The ZOZO Championship is unique in that it rewards all participants with prize money due to the absence of a cut. This structure supports competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport, ensuring that every player is compensated for their participation.
In second place, Eric Cole and Beau Hossler tied with scores of 8-under each. Both golfers earned a substantial $748,000 for their efforts. Close behind, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, pocketing $374,000 each.
A quartet of players—Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun—tied for sixth place with impressive 6-under par finishes, each receiving $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, were awarded $221,000 apiece.
Further down the leaderboard, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira each earned $178,500 for their three-way tie at twelfth place with scores of 4-under par. Matt NeSmith finished alone in fifteenth place at 3-under, taking home $151,640.
The competition remained tight as Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery ended up in a tie for sixteenth place at 2-under, each earning $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, secured $112,710 each.
Those who finished at even-par were tied for twenty-first place and received $73,610 each. Players tied for thirty-first place, finishing at 1-over par, had earnings around $46,167, while those tied for thirty-eighth at 2-over par took home $36,210 each.
The payouts continued with a tie for forty-first place at 3-over par, where players earned $27,710 each. A 4-over score led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers earning $20,230 apiece. The fifty-first place tie at 5-over par resulted in payments of $17,743.75 for each player.
As the scores increased, the payouts adjusted accordingly. Players tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each, and those tied for sixty-fourth at 7-over took home $15,725 each. A score of 8-over par meant a tie for sixty-eighth place, with earnings of $15,045 for each golfer involved.
Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par saw each player earn $14,280, while Tyson Alexander placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, securing $13,940. Finally, Ben Taylor finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, earning $13,770 for his efforts.
A Resurgence of Talent
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is not just a testament to his individual talent but also a sign of his return to the pinnacle of professional golf. After a two-year hiatus from the winners' circle, this achievement underscores his resilience and dedication to the sport.
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship reflects a broader commitment within golf to reward all competitors, providing