Morikawa's Triumphant Return
In a display of sheer dominance and skill, Collin Morikawa clinched the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour victory in two years. The tournament, which boasted an impressive $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa secure a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000. His last triumph on the tour was at the 2021 Open Championship, making this win a significant comeback.
The ZOZO Championship ran from October 19 to October 22, featuring top golf talent including Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Morikawa who stole the show, finishing at 14-under par, a comfortable six shots clear of his nearest competitors.
Runners-Up and Notable Finishes
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler shared the runner-up spot, each carding 8-under par, which earned them a handsome $748,000 apiece. Close behind, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton tied for fourth place with scores of 7-under, pocketing $374,000 each for their efforts.
A four-way tie for sixth place saw Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun finish at 6-under par, each taking home $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, were awarded $221,000 each.
Further down the leaderboard, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended the tournament tied for twelfth place at 4-under, each earning $178,500. Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen with a score of 3-under par, receiving $151,640 for his performance.
Earnings Across the Board
The inclusive payout structure of the ZOZO Championship ensured that every participant left with prize money, as the event featured no cut. This decision underscored the tournament's commitment to supporting competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport.
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery all finished tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each earning $133,960. Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, walking away with $112,710 each.
Players who finished tied for twenty-first place scored an even-par and received $73,610 each. Those tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par had earnings around $46,167, while participants tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par took home $36,210 each.
As the scores increased, the payouts naturally decreased, but all players were duly compensated. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over par resulted in $27,710 per player, and a 4-over score led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with each golfer earning $20,230.
Those tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each. Players tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par were awarded $16,490 each, and a group tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each.
The payouts continued with those tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par earning $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.
Even those at the bottom of the leaderboard were recognized for their participation. Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, earned $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, secured $13,770.
Reflecting on Morikawa's Victory
Morikawa's victory at the ZOZO Championship is not just a testament to his exceptional talent but also a signal of his return to the pinnacle of top-level golf. The win reaffirms his status as one of the game's elite players and sets a high bar for his peers on the PGA Tour.
With the entire field receiving compensation, the ZOZO Championship remains a unique event that rewards professional golfers' dedication and hard work. As the golf world celebrates Morikawa's triumphant return, it also looks forward to the continued evolution of the sport, where tournaments like the ZOZO Championship encourage a competitive yet inclusive atmosphere.