Morikawa's Triumphant Return
After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Collin Morikawa has emerged victorious at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. His last triumph on the PGA Tour was at the 2021 Open Championship, making this win a significant marker of his return to top-level golf. Morikawa's performance throughout the event was nothing short of stellar, culminating in a 14-under par finish that left him with a commanding six-shot lead over his closest competitors.
A Lucrative Event
The ZOZO Championship, known for its hefty purse, did not disappoint this year, boasting an $8.5 million prize fund. Morikawa's share as the champion was a substantial $1,530,000, a fitting reward for his exceptional play. The tournament, which ran from October 19 to October 22, attracted several notable names in the sport, including Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, adding to the event's competitive edge.
No Cut, No Problem
One of the unique aspects of the ZOZO Championship is its no-cut format, ensuring that all participants receive prize money. This approach promotes both competitiveness and inclusivity, allowing every golfer who tees off to leave with compensation for their efforts.
Runners-Up and Noteworthy Performances
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler finished tied for second place, each carding an 8-under par. Their performance earned them a handsome $748,000 each. Close behind them were Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton, who shared fourth place with scores of 7-under par and took home $374,000 apiece.
The competition remained tight further down the leaderboard as well. Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun ended the tournament in a tie for sixth place at 6-under, each earning $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, received $221,000 each, demonstrating the depth of talent present at the championship.
Further testament to the event's competitive nature was the trio of Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, who tied for twelfth place with scores of 4-under par, each securing $178,500 in prize money. Matt NeSmith followed closely, finishing fifteenth at 3-under par and earning $151,640.
Consistent Earnings Across the Board
As the scores increased, so did the number of players sharing positions. Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, pocketing $133,960 each. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 apiece.
The tournament's payout structure ensured that even those who finished further down the leaderboard were duly compensated. Players who tied for twenty-first place with an even-par score received $73,610 each. Those tied for thirty-first and thirty-eighth places, finishing at 1-over and 2-over par respectively, earned around $46,167 and $36,210 each. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over saw players taking home $27,710 each.
Golfers who ended up in a tie for forty-eighth place with a score of 4-over par earned $20,230 each. Meanwhile, those tied for fifty-first at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each, and players tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each. Even those who found themselves further back in the pack, such as the group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par, were compensated with $15,725 each. Players tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par took home $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620. Similarly, those involved in the seventy-third place tie at 10-over par earned $14,280 each. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, received $13,770.
Conclusion
Collin Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is a testament to his skill and determination. It marks a significant milestone in his career, signaling a return to form