A Triumphant Return for Collin Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has once again etched his name into the annals of golf history by clinching the 2023 ZOZO Championship. This victory marks a significant milestone for Morikawa, being his first PGA Tour win since his triumph at the 2021 Open Championship two years prior. The young golfer's return to the winner's circle was emphatic, as he finished the tournament with a stellar 14-under par.
A Commanding Performance
The ZOZO Championship, which boasted an impressive $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa securing a winner's share of $1,530,000. His performance throughout the event, which ran from October 19 to October 22, was nothing short of dominant. Morikawa carved out a comfortable six-shot lead over his closest competitors, a gap that underscored his commanding presence on the course.
Notable figures such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler were among the participants who witnessed Morikawa's return to form. However, they, like the rest of the field, were relegated to mere spectators as Morikawa showcased his championship pedigree.
Runners-Up and Prize Money Breakdown
The tournament's format, which did not include a cut, ensured that each participant walked away with a share of the prize money. Eric Cole and Beau Hossler admirably tied for second place, each finishing at 8-under par and earning $748,000 for their efforts. Hot on their heels were Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton, who shared fourth place with scores of 7-under, taking home $374,000 apiece.
A quartet of players — Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun — ended the tournament tied for sixth place at 6-under, each receiving $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, earned $221,000 each, while Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, all of whom tied for twelfth place at 4-under, took home $178,500 each.
Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen with a finish at 3-under par, pocketing $151,640. Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery ended up in a three-way tie for sixteenth place at 2-under, each earning $133,960. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
As the placements progressed, the payouts continued to reflect the competitive nature of the tournament. Players who tied for twenty-first place at even-par received $73,610 each, while those tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par had earnings around $46,167. A score of 2-over par led to a tie for thirty-eighth place, with each golfer earning $36,210.
The payouts decreased incrementally with the scoring, with ties at 3-over for forty-first place yielding $27,710 each, and a 4-over score leading to a tie for forty-eighth place, resulting in $20,230 per player. Those tied for fifty-first at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each, while a 6-over score meant a tie for fifty-ninth place and earnings of $16,490 each. Golfers tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each, and those tied for sixty-eighth at 8-over par earned $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620. Meanwhile, the seventy-third place tie at 10-over par saw each involved player earn $14,280. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured earnings of $13,940, and Ben Taylor, who finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, received $13,770.
Inclusive Payout Structure
The ZOZO Championship's inclusive payout structure is designed to ensure that every player is compensated for their participation. This approach not only supports competitiveness but also promotes inclusivity within the sport of golf. By guaranteeing a share of the prize money to all competitors, the tournament underscores the value of every golfer who tees off on its course.