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2021 Zozo Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Narashino CC

By Mike Randleman

Sep 2, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Hideki Matsuyama plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Hideki Matsuyama plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2020; Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Joaquin Niemann talks with his caddie Gary Matthews on the ninth hole during the third round of the Zozo Championship golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Joaquin Niemann talks with his caddie Gary Matthews on the ninth hole during the third round of the Zozo Championship golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Admittedly, Joaquin Niemann is not in top form, but his talent is good enough to rise to the top this week. Plus, he’s got experience at Narashino Country Club, something about half the field can’t claim.

The Chilean got off to a nice start at the 2019 Zozo Championship with rounds of 68-68-67 before dropping to T-33rd thanks to a closing 74.

Niemann was T-6th in the field in greens in regulation, hitting at a crisp 75% clip.

Like at his Zozo debut, Niemann fired three rounds in the 60s last week at the CJ Cup. The 22-year-old had the longest drive of the week (412) and was seventh in the field in strokes gained around the green (2.51) en route to T-45th for the tournament.

Not to mention, he had one of the best recovery birdies you’ll ever see. Especially among players ever to have worn a hoodie while doing so.

While there is no cut this week at Narashino Country Club, Niemann can still claim five straight missed cuts leading in. That stretch includes T-2nd at the Rocket Mortgage Classic where he nearly pulled off his second career PGA Tour victory.

Niemann finished the 2020-21 PGA Tour season ranked 14th in SG off the tee (.556) and was also a top-50 iron player and putter.

Along with a decent showing at the 2019 Zozo, Niemann also finished high at another Asian event, the 2019 CJ Cup where he took T-12th at Nine Bridges in Jeju Island, South Korea.

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