Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama needs to rediscover his best to feature at the Zozo Championship this week, but Steve Palmer believes young up-and-coming Japanese talent Takumi Kanaya could be a lively outsider at Narashino Country Club.
American Duo Dominating the Zozo Market
Tiger Woods won the last Zozo Championship at Narashino Country Club, but the former world number one is still out of action in the wake of his car crash, leaving Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele to take centre stage instead.
This dynamic duo dominate the betting and punters are probably assured a strong run for their money if they back one or both of them.
Schauffele is favourite at 11/2, but Morikawa arguably represents better value at 7/1.
Schauffele finished 72nd of 78 in the CJ Cup driving-accuracy statistics last week and he needs to tighten up off the tee if he is to be a factor at the tight, tree-lined Narashino.
Morikawa, in contrast, exuded control in the CJ Cup and fired a final-round 62 which was almost enough to claim the trophy. As a PGA Tour rookie in 2019, Morikawa finished 22nd at Narashino, and he has returned this week as a two-time Major champion brimming with confidence.
The 24-year-old made a superb Ryder Cup debut, then carried that form to the CJ Cup last week.
Matsuyama Carrying Hopes of a Nation
Hideki Matsuyama was the most famous golfer in Japan long before his Masters victory, but claiming the Green Jacket in April has elevated his status to new levels, and Japanese fans follow his every move when he comes home.
Matsuyama is a 12/1 chance for Zozo Championship glory this week. The 29-year-old has shown he can handle the pressure which comes with being the most decorated player in the history of Japanese golf, but he will be concerned by his form in the weeks leading up to the Zozo.
Matsuyama used the two most recent PGA Tour events in Las Vegas to warm up for the Zozo – and he flopped in both of them.
A share of 67th place in the Shriners Children’s Open was followed by a tie for 59th in the CJ Cup, so Matsuyama has been struggling for birdies over the last fortnight.
He finished runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 2019 Zozo – and Matsuyama has a tremendous record of success in his homeland – so he should be a factor if he manages to rediscover his A-game early in the week.
Kanaya Could Be a Dangerous Outsider
The 50/1 about Takumi Kanaya could be worth taking, with each-way terms of a quarter the first five places.
There are only 78 players in the field and not many of them have a future as bright as that of Kanaya’s. The 23-year-old topped the world amateur rankings for 55 weeks and won an event on the Japan Tour when still an amateur.
Last year Kanaya triumphed in the Dunlop Phoenix, which was the premier event in Japan before the creation of the Zozo, and he won again on his home circuit in April.
Kanaya has finished no worse than 16th in his last seven Japan Tour events, including three top-fives, so is full of form for the Zozo.
*All odds correct at time of writing.