A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has once again proven his mettle on the golf course with a commanding victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. With this win, Morikawa snaps a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, his last triumph being the 2021 Open Championship. The prestigious tournament, boasting an $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa earning a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000.
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 emerged victorious, finishing at 14-under par, a full six shots ahead of his closest competitors. This impressive margin is a testament to Morikawa's skill and focus throughout the tournament.
Runners-up and Top Finishers
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler admirably tied for second place, each carding 8-under par, which resulted in earnings of $748,000 apiece. Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with scores of 7-under, each taking home $374,000. The competition remained tight as Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun finished tied for sixth place at 6-under, all receiving checks for $275,187.50.
Further down the leaderboard, Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh tied for tenth place with respectable finishes at 5-under par, pocketing $221,000 each. Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended the tournament in a three-way tie for twelfth place at 4-under, each earning $178,500.
Midfield and Beyond
Matt NeSmith finished fifteenth at 3-under par, securing $151,640. A trio consisting of Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, with individual earnings of $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
As the tournament progressed, the payouts reflected the inclusive nature of the event. Players who tied for twenty-first place scored even-par and received $73,610 each. Those tied for thirty-first place, finishing at 1-over par, had earnings around $46,167. The prize money continued to reward participants down the line, with those tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par taking home $36,210 each, and players in forty-first place at 3-over earning $27,710 each.
Even as scores rose above par, the payout structure ensured that every golfer was compensated. For instance, golfers tied for forty-eighth place at 4-over earned $20,230 each, while those tied for fifty-first place at 5-over received $17,743.75 each. The players tied for fifty-ninth and sixty-fourth places, scoring 6-over and 7-over respectively, took home $16,490 and $15,725 each. Meanwhile, those tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par earned $15,045 each.
Wrapping Up the Leaderboard
Nearing the end of the field, Hayden Buckley placed seventy-second at 9-over par, earning $14,620. The seventy-third place tie at 10-over par resulted in each player involved receiving $14,280. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, was awarded $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
The ZOZO Championship's no-cut format ensured that all participating players received prize money, a policy that underscores the commitment to competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport. It's a structure that not only compensates players for their participation but also encourages them to strive for excellence in every round.
Conclusion
Collin Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is more than just a personal achievement; it marks a return to form for a golfer whose talent and poise have been evident since his early days on the tour. His performance at the tournament serves as a reminder of his potential and cements his status as one of the top-level golfers in the game today. As the golf world celebrates Morikawa's resurgence, fans and fellow players alike will be watching eagerly to see what