Morikawa Clinches Victory at ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has officially ended his two-year wait for a PGA Tour win with a triumphant victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. Demonstrating his exceptional skill and composure, Morikawa finished the tournament at an impressive 14-under par, securing a substantial six-shot lead over the nearest contenders.
The ZOZO Championship, renowned for its competitive field, boasted an $8.5 million purse this year. Morikawa's first-place finish earned him a winner's share of $1,530,000, marking a significant milestone in his career since his last tour win at the 2021 Open Championship.
The event, which spanned from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Morikawa who emerged from the pack to reclaim his status as a top-level golfer with this recent victory.
Strong Finish for Cole and Hossler
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler both performed admirably, tying for second place with scores of 8-under each. Their efforts were rewarded with prize money of $748,000 apiece. Close behind them, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under, earning $374,000 each for their endeavors on the course.
The competition remained fierce down the leaderboard. Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun all finished tied for sixth place at 6-under, taking home $275,187.50 each. This level of close scoring highlights the depth of talent present at the tournament.
Top Ten Finishers
Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh achieved a tie for tenth place with their performances, finishing at 5-under par. Both players were awarded $221,000 for their top-ten finishes. The twelfth place was shared by Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, who each scored 4-under par and earned $178,500.
Matt NeSmith rounded out the top fifteen, finishing at 3-under par, which netted him $151,640. The competition remained tight as Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each pocketing $133,960.
Competitive Spirit and Inclusivity
The payout structure of the ZOZO Championship is designed to reward all participants, reflecting the tournament's commitment to competitiveness and inclusivity. Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, each earned $112,710. Those who tied for twenty-first place with an even-par score received $73,610 each.
Further down the line, players tied for thirty-first place with a score of 1-over par took home around $46,167, while those tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par earned $36,210. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over saw players receiving $27,710 each.
A score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with golfers earning $20,230 each. Players tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each, and those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490. The sixty-fourth place tie at 7-over resulted in earnings of $15,725 for each player involved.
As the scores increased, the payouts slightly decreased but continued to provide compensation for all competitors. 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 resulted in each player earning $14,280. Even at seventy-sixth place with an 11-over par score, Tyson Alexander secured $13,940, and Ben Taylor, who finished seventy-seventh at 20-over par, earned $13,770.
This inclusive approach to prize distribution ensures that every golfer who competes is recognized for their participation, supporting the spirit of the game and encouraging a robust competitive environment.
Morikawa's return to the winner's circle at the ZOZO Championship not only cements his status as one of the premier golfers on the tour but also serves as an inspiration to his peers and aspiring golfers alike. His performance this week