There is a new event on the PGA Tour, as the Zozo Championship is set to start in Japan.
Last year, news came out that the PGA Tour would be heading to Japan during the fall season, adding the Zozo Championship in place of the CIMB Classic.
There was already some action in Japan earlier this week, although you may have missed it depending on where you live. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, and Hideki Matsuyama all got together to play in the Japan Skins Challenge, which Jason Day won over Tiger Woods. Since it was in Japan, it was played while most of the United States was sleeping.
It will be interesting to see how the PGA Tour does this week in Japan, as this is the first time that a PGA Tour event has been played there. There is a big purse for the event though, with a total of $9.75 million available to win. Like last week, this is a no-cut event, with only 78 golfers playing in the inaugural Zozo Championship.
There are a lot of strong candidates this week, and our staff is split on who they think is going to win. We missed the picks last week, as the early start threw a wrench into our plans. Going back before that, Richie Randolph has the top pick as he took Beau Hossler, who ended up T-13th. Half our staff ended up T-23rd of T-28th.
Let’s see if we can get a win this week, or at least into the top ten. Here are our picks for the week.
Rory McIlroy
Kathy Bissell
Kasey Kuhrts – I’ll go with Rory. Because, why not. Maybe he can find some fire after what Brooks said about him, and show him who’s boss early in the season!
Brandon Raper – This is the chalkiest of chalk picks, but I’m going to go with Rory McIlroy this week. It’s a strong, top-heavy field at a brand new course, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of about a half-dozen players pick off the win here. But when it comes down to raw talent, if Rory is on his game, I don’t know who else can top him just about anywhere in the world.
Call it a gut feeling, call it a bump from the course preview he got at the Japan Skins on Monday, call it whatever you want. But I believe that Rory is going to make moves to get back to the No. 1 spot in the world sooner rather than later. It could begin as soon as this week in Japan.
Chris O’Day – I’m joining my fellow site expert in going with Rory. I think the Koepka comments light a fire, and Rory comes out hot this week.
Tony Finau
West Valentine – My pick this week is a guy with all the talent in the world, but someone who rarely puts it together. Tony Finau.
Tony just needs some confidence. I think he gets it this weekend. The golf-crazy Japanese will be paying attention to all the big names like Rory, JT, and home-favorite Hideki.
Tony can just play without all the press attention and get his season off to a huge start.
Paul Casey
Matt Coles – Backing Paul Casey for this week! Hoping the Englishman can get his season up and running with an early win!
Xander Schauffele
Richie Randolph – I am going with Xander Schauffele. The X man is a great all-around player who contended in nearly every event last season, with 14 top-25’s in 21 starts. He capped off his season with a 2nd place finish in the Tour Championship and is well-rested coming into his start in Japan. The Zozo Championship is a new event and no player will have a great familiarity with the course, and I predict Xander’s solid game will prevail.
Adam Hadwin
Bill Felber – After seeing who is in the field, I’m going with Adam Hadwin. He’s had a pretty good start to the season.
Hideki Matsuyama
Hans Geevers – My pick is Hideki Matsuyama. Hideki arrives at this event with two consecutive top 16 finishes on the PGA Tour. In my opinion, Hideki looks like a golfer that will win a tournament very soon. I would not be surprised at all if that win comes this week in Japan!
Justin Thomas
Mike Randleman – I’ve got Justin Thomas to win for the second week in a row and win his fifth event in Asia. He’s been dominant since recovering from a wrist injury this summer.