A Triumphant Return for Morikawa at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has spectacularly ended a two-year wait for a PGA Tour win by clinching the 2023 ZOZO Championship, marking a significant return to the top of the leaderboard in professional golf. The tournament, which boasted an $8.5 million purse, saw Morikawa secure a substantial winner's share of $1,530,000.
The event, staged from October 19 to October 22, featured notable golfers such as Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler. However, it was Morikawa who dominated the field, finishing at 14-under par and establishing a comfortable six-shot lead over his closest competitors.
Morikawa's last tour win came at the 2021 Open Championship, making this victory a notable comeback. His performance at the ZOZO Championship not only reaffirmed his status as one of the game's elite players but also reflected a return to form that many of his fans and fellow golfers have been anticipating.
Comprehensive Earnings Despite No Cut
In a unique twist for the tournament, all participants received prize money due to the absence of a cut. This inclusive approach to the payout structure supports competitiveness and ensures that every golfer is compensated for their participation, fostering a spirit of inclusivity within the sport.
Runners-up Eric Cole and Beau Hossler, who both finished with commendable scores of 8-under each, took home $748,000 apiece. Their solid performances underscored the depth of talent present at the championship.
Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with scores of 7-under, each earning $374,000 for their efforts. Their impressive play throughout the tournament added to the excitement and showcased the global nature of the competition.
A four-way tie for sixth place featured Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun, all finishing at 6-under par. These players were each awarded $275,187.50, highlighting the equitable distribution of the purse among the top finishers.
Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place at 5-under par, pocketed $221,000 each. Their top-ten finishes reflect the high level of play required to compete in today's professional golf landscape.
Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, all of whom tied for twelfth place with scores of 4-under par, each received $178,500. Their earnings are testament to their consistency and skill on the course.
Matt NeSmith, who finished fifteenth at 3-under par, earned $151,640, while Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, all tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each took home $133,960.
Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, were awarded $112,710 each, reflecting the competitive nature of the event even beyond the top ten.
Distribution of Prize Money
The distribution of the prize money extended deep into the field. Players who tied for twenty-first place with scores of 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 rewarding professional golfers for their participation.
Golfers tied for thirty-eighth place with scores of 2-over par earned $36,210 each, while those in forty-first place at 3-over took home $27,710. A score of 4-over led to a tie for forty-eighth place, with each golfer earning $20,230.
Further down the leaderboard, players tied for fifty-first place at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each. Those tied for fifty-ninth place at 6-over par earned $16,490, and a group tied for sixty-fourth place with scores of 7-over par took home $15,725 each.
The payouts continued with players 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, while those involved in the seventy-third place tie at 10-over par earned $14,280 each.
Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940, and Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh