A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
After a two-year hiatus from the winner's circle, Collin Morikawa has once again tasted victory on the PGA Tour. The talented golfer secured his latest win at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, an event that boasted an impressive $8.5 million purse. Morikawa's exceptional performance culminated in a winner's share of $1,530,000, a fitting reward for a dominant display of skill and composure.
Dominance from Start to Finish
The tournament, which ran from October 19 to October 22, witnessed Morikawa finishing at 14-under par, leaving him with a comfortable six-shot lead over his closest competitors. This marked a significant milestone for Morikawa, whose last tour win was celebrated at the 2021 Open Championship. His return to form was not just a personal victory but also a statement to the golfing world that he remains a force to be reckoned with.
Among the notable participants were Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, both of whom are recognized names in the sport. However, they, along with the rest of the field, found themselves outplayed by Morikawa's steady hands and focused mind.
Prize Money Spread Across the Board
The ZOZO Championship is unique in that it does not cut any players, ensuring that all participants receive prize money. This inclusive approach to the payout structure promotes competitiveness and ensures that every golfer who tees off is compensated for their efforts.
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler tied for second place, each carding 8-under par and earning $748,000 for their performances. Close behind them, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, pocketing $374,000 apiece. The payouts continued down the leaderboard, reflecting the depth of talent present at the championship.
Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun ended the tournament in a tie for sixth place with scores of 6-under par, each taking home $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under, earned $221,000 each.
Further down the line, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira finished tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each receiving $178,500. Matt NeSmith claimed fifteenth place at 3-under par, with earnings of $151,640.
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery ended up in a three-way tie for sixteenth place at 2-under, with each golfer earning $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
The prize money continued to be distributed as players tied for twenty-first place scored even-par and received $73,610 each. Those tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par took home around $46,167, while players tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par earned $36,210 each. The payouts decreased incrementally, with those tied for forty-first place at 3-over par earning $27,710 each, and golfers tied for forty-eighth place at 4-over par taking $20,230 each.
As the scores increased, the earnings tapered accordingly. Players tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each, while those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each. A group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each, and players tied for sixty-eighth place at 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 saw each player earn $14,280, and Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940. Ben Taylor, despite finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, still managed to secure a payout of $13,770.
Conclusion
Morikawa's triumph at the ZOZO Championship is more than a personal accolade; it signals a resurgence for a golfer of high caliber and serves as a reminder of the rewards that come with dedication and perseverance. The inclusive payout structure of the