Morikawa Clinches Victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has triumphed at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour win since his major victory at the 2021 Open Championship. The tournament, boasting an $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa secure a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000. His remarkable performance culminated in a 14-under par finish, establishing a six-shot lead over his closest competitors.
A Stellar Return to Form
The event, which ran from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Morikawa who stole the spotlight with his exceptional play. This victory signifies a significant return to form for the young golfer, whose last tour win at Royal St George's had set high expectations for his future career.
With all participants receiving prize money due to the absence of a cut in the tournament, the payout structure promoted competitiveness and inclusivity. This approach ensures that every player is compensated for their participation, fostering a supportive environment within the professional golfing community.
Runners-Up and Top Finishers
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler shared the runner-up position, both finishing at 8-under par. Their performances were rewarded with earnings of $748,000 each. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton, who tied for fourth place at 7-under, each took home $374,000 for their efforts.
The tie for sixth place included Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, who all finished at 6-under par and received $275,187.50 apiece. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, tied for tenth at 5-under, earned $221,000 each. Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, who ended the tournament tied for twelfth place at 4-under par, were awarded $178,500 each.
Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen with a score of 3-under par, earning himself $151,640. Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, all tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, pocketed $133,960 each. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, each earned $112,710.
Payouts Extend Deep into the Field
The players who tied for twenty-first place, scoring even-par, received $73,610 each. A tie for thirty-first place at 1-over par resulted in earnings around $46,167, while those tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par took home $36,210 each.
Players in forty-first place, finishing at 3-over, earned $27,710 each. A score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers at this rank earning $20,230 each. The fifty-first place tie at 5-over par saw players receive $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, scoring 8-over par, earned $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par resulted in earnings of $14,280 for each player involved. Tyson Alexander, placing seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
Conclusion
The ZOZO Championship's inclusive payout structure not only rewards the stellar performance of winners like Morikawa but also supports the professionals who continue to hone their skills on the course. Morikawa's impressive victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the spirit of competitiveness and resilience that defines the sport of golf.