Morikawa Wins Zozo Championship; Meronk Triumphs in Spain

Morikawa Wins Zozo Championship – Collin Morikawa secured his first Professional Golfers Association title in 27 months by winning the Zozo Championship in Japan on Sunday. Morikawa tamed the Narashino Country Club course in Inzai City, Japan, as he carded a 7-under-par 63 in the final round. Together with his 64, 73 and 66 in the first three rounds, the American finished 72 holes with a total of 14-under 266. He won by six shots over Beau Hossler and Eric Cole, who both shot 70 in the fourth round for a 272 aggregate. For Morikawa, it was his first PGA Tour title since the 2021 British Open. His come-from-behind win was a surprise for PGA Tour oddsmakers who were expecting another American to finish strong only to choke in the crucial stage of the tournament.

Morikawa Wins Zozo Championship: Saving the Best for Last

Starting the final round two shots behind third-round pacesetter Justin Suh, Morikawa went to business early, making four birdies on the front nine and consistently hit fairways that he missed in the second and third round. He made three more on the back nine, including a 10-footer on the 18th. Suh faded in the final round, posting six bogeys and two birdies to finish tied for 10th at 275 along with Emiliano Grillo (71).

The victory handed Morikawa the top prize USD1.530 million. Cole and Hossler both made 70 in the fourth round to finish at 8-under 272. They earned USD748,000 each. Sharing fourth at 7-under 273 are Robby Shelton and Ryo Ishikawa, who carded 65 and 67, respectively. The duo received USD374,000 each for the feat. Four golfers – Lee Min Woo (65), Kensei Hirata (66), Ryo Hiratsune (66) and JJ Spaun (68) finished tied for sixth at 274. The quartet gained USD275,188 each.

Meronk Wins Andalucia Masters for Third European Tour Title of Season

Adrian Meronk captured his third European Title of the season as he won the Andalucia Masters on Sunday. Meronk shot his second-consecutive 66 to sign off at 16-under-par 272 after 72 holes at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande in southern Spain. The Polish golfer came from four shots down to edge past third-round leader Matti Schmid. Meronk made two eagles on the front nine, including a 121-yard shot on the par-4 ninth hole. He carded four birdies on the back nine, including the shot that gave him the lead on the 17th hole. He received the top prize of EUR602,907.98 (about USD640,000) and become the first three-time winner on the European Tour this season. This was Meronk’s fourth title overall and moved him to third in the Race to Dubai.

Meronk Secures Andalucia Masters Victory; Schmid Misses Playoff Opportunity

Joint third-round leader Schmid, who was looking for his first win on the European Tour, had a chance to secure the victory but his so-so play in the final three holes cost him. He bogeyed the 16th hole and missed a 40-foot birdie attempt on the 18th that would have forced a playoff with Meronk. He shot a 71 in the final round for a four-round total of 15-under 273. Richard Mansell finished third at 274 after carding his third straight 68. Louis de Jager (68) and Chase Hanna (66) ended up tied for fourth at 13-under. 

Erstwhile co-leader Jeff Winther struggled with a 74 in the final round to finish sixth at 276. Ko Jeong-woon (72) and Marcel Siem (68) finished tied for seventh at 277 while Matthieu Pavon (69), Victor Perez (70), Thorbjorn Olesen (70) and Adrian Otaegui (74) shared ninth at 278.  United States Open champion Wyndham Clark finished tied for 56th at 1-under 287 after he shot a 2-over 74 in the fourth round. American Matt Kuchar shot a 67 in the final round and wound up joint 19th at 8-under 280. He was a shot in front of Robert MacIntyre (72). The Andalucia Masters was the final tournament of the year in Europe. South Africa will be the next stop for the event and will be followed by the season-ending tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Crushers Win LIV Golf Finale

The Crushers held off a last-ditch rally from the RangeGoats to win the LIV Golf team championship on Sunday at the Trump Doral in Florida. Anirban Lahiri carded a 7-under-par 65 to lead the squad to victory. Bryson DeChambeau backed up Lahiri with a 67 while Charles Howell III and Paul Casey signed off with 72 and 73, respectively to give the team an overall score of 11-under 277. They were two shots ahead of the RangeGoats, who had Bubba Watson (67), Talor Gooch (70) and Thomas Pieters (70) registering below-par scores. Harold Varner III shot a 72. 

Torque finished third at 282. Joaquin Niemann led the squad with a 66 while David Puig, Sebastian Muñoz and Mito Pereira carding 71, 72 and 73, respectively. Defending champion 4 Aces were not able to show their championship form as they faltered all day and settled for fourth at 288. Peter Uihlein had the best round of the quartet with a 69. Patrick Reed was the other 4 Aces player who broke par at 71 while Pat Perez and Dustin Johnson struggled with their rounds, finishing at 73 and 75, respectively. The Crushers secured USD14 million from the USD50-million purse. Of that payoff, 60% goes to the team and the players divide the rest – USD1.4 million per player.

LIV Golf Season Ends on a High Note with Exciting Finish

The other eight teams, all beaten during quarterfinals and semifinals of the tournament’s match play, competed in two separate tiers to determine their final placing. In the second tier, Stinger topped the group followed by Fireballs, Cleeks and Hyflyers. Ripper, Smash, Majesticks and Iron Heads wound up finishing ninth to 12th places in the third tier. 

The season-ender proved to be exciting for the upstart LIV Golf which will head into 2024 with a promising future ahead. People focused on golf tournament online betting odds will be ready for the new season with lots of hope as the new golf faction finished the whole season successfully.