Some of the bigger names in the sport are coming out of the woodwork this week when the PGA Tour heads to Japan for the sixth edition of the ZOZO Championship. Making his first appearance in a stroke-play event since the TOUR Championship, Collin Morikawa will defend his title as the second favorite on the outright odds board behind two-time major champion and world No. 2 Xander Schauffele. There have been some exciting moments in the brief history of the tournament. Tiger Woods won the last of his 82 Tour titles in the inaugural event in 2019. In 2021 Japan’s greatest golfer Hideki Matsuyama cruised to an easy victory when the event returned to his native land following a COVID-induced relocation. The field is limited to 78 golfers with a number of Japan’s best competing with the event co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organization. Be sure to visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of matchup betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
ZOZO Championship Matchup Odds
Xander Schauffele -150 vs. Collin Morikawa +120
Xander Schauffele -160 vs. Hideki Matsuyama +130
Collin Morikawa -110 vs. Hideki Matsuyama -120
Sungjae Im -145 vs. Sahith Theegala +115
Sungjae Im -135 vs. Justin Thomas +105
Sahith Theegala -115 vs. Justin Thomas -115
Min Woo Lee +100 vs. Kurt Kitayama -130
Min Woo Lee -120 vs. Si Woo Kim -110
Kurt Kitayama -135 vs. Si Woo Kim +105
Beau Hossler -115 vs. Doug Ghim -115
Beau Hossler -115 vs. JJ Spaun -115
Doug Ghim -120 vs. JJ Spaun -110
Maverick McNealy -125 vs. Will Zalatoris -105
Tom Hoge -115 vs. Seamus Power -115
Max Greyserman -120 vs. Patrick Rodgers -110
Andrew Putnam -115 vs. Rico Hoey -115
Taylor Moore -115 vs. Ben Griffin -115
Max Homa -110 vs. Gary Woodland -120
Rickie Fowler -115 vs. Matt Kuchar -115
Ryan Fox +100 vs. Patrick Fishburn -130
Mac Meissner -115 vs. Sam Stevens -115
Victor Perez -115 vs. K H Lee -115
Adam Svensson -130 vs. Nick Taylor +100
Kevin Yu -115 vs. Mark Hubbard -115
Charley Hoffman -115 vs. Ben Silverman -115
Takumi Kanaya -135 vs. Ryo Hisatsune +105
Kensei Hirata +105 vs. C.T. Pan -135
Brendon Todd -115 vs. Lee Hodges -115
Ben Kohles -115 vs. Carson Young -115
Davis Riley -115 vs. Adam Schenk -115
Joel Dahmen +100 vs. Nico Echavarria -130
Need to Know
Nine holes from each of the two courses at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club make up the layout. The traditional Japanese-style track had some length added a few years ago but remains short by Tour standards playing at 7,079 yards and par 70. It’s a straightforward design complicated by tree-lined fairways and several doglegs. The field will consist of up to 78 golfers with several exemptions for JGTO members. The limited field also means no cut so every golfer is guaranteed four rounds. A number of holes on the course have two greens, which might confuse some viewers not familiar with this design. Hopefully the players don’t get confused, but they are allowed a free drop should they pinpoint the wrong landing spot. Woods holds the tournament scoring record at 19-under 261 in the event’s initial playing in 2019.
ZOZO Championship Matchup Picks
Sahith Theegala +115 vs. Sungjae Im
This is an interesting matchup with two players along the same trajectory. They both had strong seasons and have been good in this tournament. I hit some matchup winners backing Theegala in the past and at his price the two are too close not to back him. I jumped at the chance with Theegala connecting on four top 10s in his last seven starts and two top 20s in two starts at this tournament, including a T5 in 2022.
Beau Hossler -115 vs. Doug Ghim
Success at a course typically leads to more success at that venue for Hossler, who looks to build off his runner-up finish last October. He led last year’s edition at the midway point after scoring 68-65 but couldn’t hold on. The year before he earned a share of 16th and has played consistently on the layout. He also enters on a run of good form with three straight top 25s and four in his last five starts.
Kensei Hirata +105 vs. C.T. Pan
Since the tournament is in Japan and several slots are held for the country’s best players it seems as though I’m obligated to pick one native. Matsuyama would be the logical choice, but Hirata has been on fire in the Asian and Japan Tours recording four wins since July helping him to the top of the money list. He also finished T6 in his ZOZO debut last year.
Min Woo Lee -120 vs. Si Woo Kim
Lee had a nice run around this time last year winning the Asian Tour’s SJM Macao Open in a five-start stretch that included another win and podium finish on the DP World Tour along with a T6 at this event. He defended his title at the Macao Open with a T9 last week and looks to continue another strong run at some familiar sites.
Matt Kuchar -115 vs. Rickie Fowler
It’s hard not to cheer for the veteran Kuchar, who missed the FedExCup playoffs for the first time despite a strong close that included a T3 at the 3M Open and a T12 at the Wyndham Championship. His strong play has continued into the fall with a pair of top 15s in three events solidifying his position on Tour for next season.
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