The Narashino Country Club in Japan is the host course for this week’s PGA Tour event, the ZOZO Championship where a fairly top heavy field takes to the first tee.
The Narashino Country Club plays to a par 70, the course is tree lined and undulating with small greens putting a premium on accuracy from the fairway. This will be the 3rd renewal of The ZOZO Championship, but only the second in Japan and at this course as it was played in the USA last year. In 2019 Tiger Woods won at Narashino, finishing 3 strokes ahead of Hideki Matsuyama.
A look at the top of the betting boards this week and we have Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa trading at 6/1, Morikawa nearly delivered for us last week when he stormed through the field to finish runner-up to Rory Mcilroy at least ensuring each way returns. The 2019 runner-up, Matsuyama is 14/1 and you can get 18/1 and better the balance.
PAST WINNERS (at different courses)
2020 – Patrick Cantlay -23
2019 – Tiger Woods -19 (at Narashino)
BETTING – Click here to bet
Xander Schauffele 6/1
Collin Morikawa 6/1
Hideki Matsuyama 14/1
Will Zalatoris 18/1
Rickie Fowler 25/1
Joaquin Niemann 25/1
33/1 and better the balance
SELECTIONS
Xander Schauffele win only at 6/1
I wanted to have at least one of the top two in my staking plan and I have settled on Schauffele who finished strongly last week for a Top 20 and has shown a liking for Japanese courses in the past. His form since winning the Olympics has been solid, although not spectacular and he was 10th here on debut in 2019.
K.H. Lee each way at 50/1
Lee makes his Tournament debut, but has a couple of solid performances behind him in recent weeks with a Top 25 and a Top 15. The field is weaker than last week when he finished 25th. A multiple winner on the Japanese tour, Lee could go close this week.
Ryan Palmer each way at 55/1
There is not much to shout about looking at Ryan Palmer’s recent form and he missed the cut in his last start two weeks ago. He finished top 10 here in 2019 though and that is enough to see me sneak him into the staking plan this week.
Branden Grace each way at 66/1
There are signs that Branden Grace’s game is coming back to life, although that wasn’t evident last week when he finished well down the field in the CJ Cup. Prior to that he had some solid form though with a Top 30 and a Top 15 and while I would have preferred him to have shown us more last week I am struggling for my 4th selection and I am going to let a bit of South African bias play a role here, I hope that Grace can bounce back to form.
Click here for a host of other markets on the ZOZO Championship
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
