The PGA Tour heads across the Pacific Ocean this week as the ZOZO Championship kicks off Thursday from Chiba, Japan. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the event below.
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PGA Tour: ZOZO Championship Betting Tips
Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Thursday 24th - Sunday 27th October
It’s been a relatively quiet month or so on the PGA Tour as the lower level Tour players as well as non-members fight to earn their tour card for the 2025 season in the FedEx Cup Fall. That changes this week, however, with some of the top names in the game set to return to action after a stint on the sidelines.
The Field
It’s been a while since we’ve seen any top 10 ranked players in the world in action on the PGA Tour, but with Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Hideki Matsuyama all returning to action this week, the field is looking super competitive. Some other names at the top of the betting markets include Sungjae Im, Sahith Theegala, Justin Thomas, Si Woo Kim and Min Woo Lee.
Morikawa and Matsuyama will be the only previous winners of the ZOZO Championship who will be teeing it up this week, given the tournament only joined the PGA Tour circuit back in 2019. There is plenty of homegrown talent who earned their place in the tournament through strong performances on the Japan Golf Tour, led by Ryo Ishikawa, who finished T4 last year at Narashino Country Club.
The Course
Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club
Par 70, 7,079 yards
The Accordia Narashino Country Club, a tour-level golf course in Japan, is meticulously maintained. At a little over 7,000 yards, it's one of the shorter courses on the PGA Tour. However, its length is offset by tight, tree-lined fairways and water hazards on multiple holes. The greens are also smaller than the tour average, demanding precision both off the tee and on approach. This week, we’re focusing on strong ball strikers for our betting tips.
The course was designed by the renowned architect Kinya Fujii, who is known for his work on several other famous courses in Japan.The 18th hole is particularly memorable, featuring a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and a challenging approach shot to a well-protected green.
Betting Tips
Hideki Matsuyama ($9.00/Top 10 $1.86)
The hometown hero has to be top of the list here when it comes to our rankings. Failed to win a major in 2024 but had an outstanding season nonetheless, winning two elevated events in the Genesis Invitational and the FedEx St. Jude Championship in star studded fields. Hasn’t played since the Tour Championship so should be well rested here, has finished in the top 25 in 11 of his last 16 events.
Takumi Kanaya ($81/Top 30 $1.95)
Love the look of another homegrown player here in Takumi Kanaya, who sits in 2nd place on the Japan Golf Tour money list this season with some impressive performances. Has made the cut in his last eight straight events including a 2nd place at the Vantelin Tokai Classic and a win just a few weeks ago at the ACN Championship. Has played three times at the ZOZO, finishing T7, T31 and T53.
