Morikawa's Triumphant Return
In a remarkable display of skill and composure, Collin Morikawa claimed victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking his first PGA Tour win in two years. The tournament, boasting an $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa secure a winner's share of $1,530,000. This significant triumph underscores his return to the pinnacle of top-level golf 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. Despite the stiff competition, Morikawa finished at 14-under par, establishing a commanding six-shot lead over his closest contenders. His performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of stellar, reminiscent of his form during his major championship win.
Runner-Ups and Top Finishers
Eric Cole and Beau Hossler admirably tied for second place, each carding an 8-under par. Their efforts were rewarded with a handsome $748,000 each. Not far behind, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place at 7-under par, taking home $374,000 apiece.
A group of players, including Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, found themselves in a tie for sixth place with scores of 6-under each. These golfers received equal shares of the prize money, pocketing $275,187.50. Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, earned $221,000 each, further highlighting the depth of talent present at the championship.
Further down the leaderboard, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira ended up in a three-way tie for twelfth place at 4-under, each earning $178,500. Matt NeSmith followed suit, finishing fifteenth at 3-under par, which netted him $151,640.
Earnings Across the Board
The unique structure of the ZOZO Championship ensured that all participants received prize money, as the tournament did not implement a cut. This decision promotes both competitiveness and inclusivity within the sport, allowing every golfer to be compensated for their participation.
Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each taking home $133,960. Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each.
Golfers who tied for twenty-first place and scored even-par received $73,610 each. Those tied for thirty-first place at 1-over par had earnings around $46,167, demonstrating the tournament's commitment to equitable financial distribution among its players.
As the scores rose above par, the earnings adjusted accordingly. Players tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par each earned $36,210. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over saw players take home $27,710 each. Golfers tied for forty-eighth place with a score of 4-over earned $20,230 each, and those tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each.
The payouts continued for those further down the leaderboard. Players tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490 each, while those tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each. Golfers tied for sixty-eighth place at 8-over par were awarded $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. 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.
Conclusion
The ZOZO Championship's payout structure is a testament to the inclusive nature of the sport, ensuring that every golfer who tees off is recognized for their effort with a share of the prize money. As the dust settles on this year's event, Collin Morikawa's victory stands as a beacon of his resurgence in the golfing world—a tale of persistence, skill, and the heart of a champion.