Morikawa's Triumphant Return at the 2023 ZOZO Championship
Collin Morikawa has once again etched his name into the annals of golf history with a resounding victory at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. His triumph at this event marks a significant milestone, being his first PGA Tour win in two years since his last major victory at the 2021 Open Championship.
The tournament, which boasts an impressive $8.5 million purse, witnessed Morikawa securing a winner's share of $1,530,000. The ZOZO Championship unfolded from October 19 to October 22, and it attracted some of the sport’s most prominent figures, including Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, who were among the notable participants vying for the title.
Dominant Performance by Morikawa
Morikawa's performance was nothing short of dominant. He finished at 14-under par, showcasing his exceptional skill and composure that left him with a comfortable six-shot lead over the nearest contenders. This kind of dominance is a testament to Morikawa’s prowess on the course and his ability to maintain consistency throughout the tournament.
Runners-up Eric Cole and Beau Hossler, who tied for second place, concluded their rounds with commendable scores of 8-under each. Despite falling short of the top spot, both golfers played impressive games and were rewarded with $748,000 apiece for their efforts.
Not far behind, Ryo Ishikawa and Robby Shelton shared fourth place with scores of 7-under, each taking home $374,000. Their performances underscored the depth of talent present at the championship, as they navigated the challenging course with skill and determination.
A No-Cut Event Ensures Rewards for All
One of the unique aspects of the ZOZO Championship is its no-cut policy, ensuring that all participants receive prize money. This structure not only supports competitiveness but also inclusivity, allowing every golfer who tees off a chance to earn regardless of their final standing.
Further down the leaderboard, Kensei Hirata, Ryo Hisatsune, Min Woo Lee, and J.J. Spaun finished tied for sixth place at 6-under, each earning a share of $275,187.50. This group of skilled players showcased their abilities, contributing to the highly competitive nature of the tournament.
Emiliano Grillo and Justin Suh, who tied for tenth place with scores of 5-under par, earned $221,000 each. They were closely followed by Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, and Satoshi Kodaira, who ended up tied for twelfth place at 4-under, pocketing $178,500 each for their performances.
As we move further down the ranks, Matt NeSmith finished fifteenth at 3-under par, earning $151,640. Yuki Inamori, Kurt Kitayama, and Taylor Montgomery, tied for sixteenth place at 2-under, each walked away with $133,960.
Keegan Bradley and Sahith Theegala, who tied for nineteenth place at 1-under, secured earnings of $112,710 each. The payouts continued with those tied for twenty-first place at even-par receiving $73,610 each, while the tie for thirty-first place at 1-over par resulted in earnings around $46,167.
Golfers tied for thirty-eighth place at 2-over par took home $36,210 each. A tie for forty-first place at 3-over saw players earning $27,710 each, and those tied for forty-eighth place at 4-over scored $20,230 each. The fifty-first place finishers at 5-over par received $17,743.75 each.
Players tied for fifty-ninth place with scores of 6-over par earned $16,490 each, while those tied for sixty-fourth place at 7-over par took home $15,725 each. The sixty-eighth place tie at 8-over par saw players earning $15,045 each.
Hayden Buckley, who placed seventy-second at 9-over par, was awarded $14,620. Those involved in the seventy-third place tie at 10-over par earned $14,280 each, and Tyson Alexander, who placed seventy-sixth at 11-over par, secured $13,940. Ben Taylor, finishing seventy-seventh at 20-over par, still managed to take home $13,770.
Morikawa's Return to Form
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