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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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Jul 25, 2021; Blaine, Minnesota, USA; Maverick McNealy tees off from the 2nd tee box during the final round of the 3M Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2021; Blaine, Minnesota, USA; Maverick McNealy tees off from the 2nd tee box during the final round of the 3M Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Maverick McNealy tore through the college ranks at Stanford at a near-Tiger like pace. The fruits of his amateur labor are beginning to consistently blossom at the pro level.

The 25-year-old Californian shared the 54-hole lead in his home state a few weeks ago at the Fortinet Championship. McNealy fired 4-under 68 in the final round but it wasn’t quite enough as he was pipped by one shot by Max Homa.

McNealy spoke about how getting in situations like these is still fairly new to him on the PGA Tour, but getting out of his comfort zone and fighting for a trophy was huge for him mentally.

“I learned that — well, first of all, I’m really proud of my preparation and my work. I think this is a culmination of six months of really hard work and working on the right things,” McNealy was transcribed by Tee Scripts. “I’ve got a great team that helps me improve and figure out what to work on, so that’s a huge confidence boost.”

It came a little longer ago than six months, but McNealy also earned solo second in February at Pebble Beach. More in that six-month frame is a T-4th at the RBC Heritage. Then, in the summer, McNealy became less boom-or-bust and more consistent with his results.

He rattled off seven straight top-30s to help him advance to the BMW Championship in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, a personal best.

McNealy gained enough status to get into the 78-player CJ Cup last week and this week’s Zozo Championship. Those no-cut, guaranteed money/FedEx Cup points events can do wonders for a player’s career getting off the ground.

He posted three rounds in the 60s last week en route to T-38th.

McNealy is making his debut in Japan and expects to contend against a relatively weak field assembled at Narashino Country Club.

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