BlogZozo Championship Preview and Picks

Zozo Championship

October 22nd – 25th, 2020

Sherwood C.C.

Thousand Oaks, Ca.

Par: 72 / Yardage: 7,527

Purse: $8 million

with $1,440,000 to the winner

Defending Champion:
Tiger Woods

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This week’s field includes:

Of the field of 78 players, 58 of them are in the top 100 in the latest Official World Rankings,.  Of those 58 players, 37 of them are in the top-50 of the ranking, they are: #2 Jon Rahm, #3 Justin Thomas, #4 Collin Morikawa, #5 Rory McIlroy, #7 Xander Schauffele, #8 Webb Simpson, #9 Tyrrell Hatton, #10 Patrick Reed, #12 Matthew Wolff, #13 Daniel Berger, #14 Patrick Cantlay, #15 Adam Scott, #16 Tommy Fleetwood, #17 Tony Finau, #19 Matthew Fitzpatrick, #20 Hideki Matsuyama, #21 Abraham Ancer, #22 Paul Casey, #23 Sungjae Im, #24 Viktor Hovland, #25 Justin Rose, #26 Jason Kokrak, #27 Marc Leishman, #28 Tiger Woods, #29 Matt Kuchar, #30 Gary Woodland, #32 Scottie Scheffler, #33 Kevin Kisner, #34 Harris English, #36 Ryan Palmer, #38 Billy Horschel, #39 Kevin Na, #41 Brendon Todd, #43 Jason Day, #44 Joaquin Niemann, #45 Rickie Fowler and #50 Kevin Streelman

Last year there were 31 of the top-50 players in the world playing in Japan.

The field includes 12 of the Top 25 on this year’s FedEx point standings.  Those players includes #2 Matthew Wolff, #4 Jason Kokrak, #8 Xander Schauffele, #11 Harry Higgs, #16 Harris English, #17 Mackenzie Hughes, #18 Joaquin Niemann, #19 Russell Henley, #21 Adam Long, #22 Kevin Streelman, #23 Abraham Ancer and #24 Tyrrell Hatton.

This is the second time this event is being played, last year it was played in Japan and won by Tiger Woods who is back to defend

Here is the performance chart which is basically just a look at the standings for last year.

A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.

Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:

Who’s Hot in the field for the Zozo Championship

Player Wyndham Champ. Northern Trust BMW Champ. Sanderson Farms Safeway Open Shriners Hospitals Tour Champ. CJ Cup Corales U.S. Open PGA Champ. BMW PGA Scottish Open
Tyrrell Hatton
(325 pts)
DNP T25
(12.5)
T16
(17)
DNP DNP DNP 7
(27.5)
T3
(90)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
Win
(198)
DNP
Matthew Wolff
(306.67 pts)
DNP T44
(3)
T16
(17)
DNP DNP T2
(100)
DNP 73
(0)
DNP 2
(133.33)
T4
(53.33)
DNP DNP
Xander Schauffele
(295 pts)
DNP T25
(12.5)
T25
(12.5)
DNP DNP DNP T2
(50)
2
(100)
DNP 5
(93.33)
T10
(26.67)
DNP DNP
Patrick Reed
(254.5 pts)
T9
(15)
T49
(0.5)
T40
(5)
DNP DNP DNP T8
(25)
DNP DNP T13
(49.33)
T13
(24.67)
T3
(135)
DNP
Harris English
(240.33 pts)
T23
(9)
2
(50)
T40
(5)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
T12
(19)
10
(40)
DNP 4
(106.67)
T19
(20.67)
DNP DNP
Jon Rahm
(229.67 pts)
DNP T6
(30)
Win
(66)
DNP DNP DNP 4
(40)
T17
(33)
DNP T23
(36)
T13
(24.67)
DNP DNP
Jason Kokrak
(219.5 pts)
T15
(11.67)
T13
(18.5)
T6
(30)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP Win
(132)
DNP T17
(44)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Webb Simpson
(191.33 pts)
T3
(30)
T6
(30)
DNP DNP DNP T13
(37)
T12
(19)
DNP DNP T8
(66.67)
T37
(8.67)
DNP DNP
Joaquin Niemann
(180.5 pts)
T42
(2.67)
CUT
(-5)
T3
(45)
DNP DNP T13
(37)
T27
(11.5)
6
(60)
DNP T23
(36)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Justin Thomas
(176.33 pts)
DNP T49
(0.5)
T25
(12.5)
DNP DNP DNP T2
(50)
T12
(38)
DNP T8
(66.67)
T37
(8.67)
DNP DNP
Russell Henley
(174.17 pts)
T9
(15)
T8
(25)
T25
(12.5)
DNP DNP T27
(23)
DNP T3
(90)
DNP DNP T37
(8.67)
DNP DNP
Tony Finau
(166.5 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
5
(35)
DNP DNP DNP 17
(16.5)
DNP DNP T8
(66.67)
T4
(53.33)
DNP DNP
Tommy Fleetwood
(159.17 pts)
T59
(0)
T44
(3)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T59
(0)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
T29
(14)
T13
(55.5)
2
(100)
Hideki Matsuyama
(154.67 pts)
DNP T29
(10.5)
T3
(45)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
T15
(17.5)
T21
(29)
DNP T17
(44)
T22
(18.67)
DNP DNP
Rory McIlroy
(151 pts)
DNP T65
(0)
T12
(19)
DNP DNP DNP T8
(25)
T21
(29)
DNP T8
(66.67)
T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP
Scottie Scheffler
(146.33 pts)
DNP T4
(40)
T20
(15)
T37
(13)
DNP CUT
(-10)
5
(35)
T52
(0)
DNP DNP T4
(53.33)
DNP DNP
Daniel Berger
(143 pts)
DNP 3
(45)
T25
(12.5)
DNP DNP DNP T15
(17.5)
T28
(22)
DNP T34
(21.33)
T13
(24.67)
DNP DNP
Collin Morikawa
(142.67 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
T20
(15)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
6
(30)
T12
(38)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
Win
(88)
DNP DNP
Viktor Hovland
(134.67 pts)
DNP T18
(16)
T40
(5)
DNP DNP DNP T20
(15)
T12
(38)
DNP T13
(49.33)
T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP
Brian Harman
(134.17 pts)
T27
(7.67)
T11
(19.5)
T12
(19)
T37
(13)
DNP T13
(37)
DNP T28
(22)
DNP T38
(16)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP
Matthew Fitzpatrick
(133.5 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
T6
(30)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T12
(38)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
T7
(82.5)
T42
(8)
Cameron Smith
(129.67 pts)
DNP T18
(16)
T20
(15)
DNP DNP T24
(26)
T24
(13)
11
(39)
DNP T38
(16)
T43
(4.67)
DNP DNP
Abraham Ancer
(126.17 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
T33
(8.5)
DNP DNP 4
(80)
T18
(16)
T28
(22)
DNP T56
(0)
T43
(4.67)
DNP DNP
Paul Casey
(124.5 pts)
T31
(6.33)
T49
(0.5)
T16
(17)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T69
(0)
DNP T17
(44)
T2
(66.67)
DNP DNP
Sungjae Im
(124.17 pts)
T9
(15)
CUT
(-5)
T56
(0)
T28
(22)
DNP T13
(37)
11
(19.5)
T45
(5)
DNP 22
(37.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Bubba Watson
(113.33 pts)
DNP T18
(16)
T16
(17)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T7
(55)
DNP T31
(25.33)
T71
(0)
DNP DNP
Lanto Griffin
(111 pts)
DNP T58
(0)
T10
(20)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
T18
(16)
T7
(55)
DNP T43
(9.33)
T19
(20.67)
DNP DNP
Kevin Kisner
(108.33 pts)
T3
(30)
T4
(40)
T25
(12.5)
DNP DNP DNP 23
(13.5)
T45
(5)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
T19
(20.67)
DNP DNP
Mackenzie Hughes
(103.17 pts)
DNP T13
(18.5)
T10
(20)
DNP DNP DNP 14
(18)
T65
(0)
3
(60)
CUT
(-13.33)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP
Harry Higgs
(101.83 pts)
CUT
(-3.33)
T11
(19.5)
T56
(0)
DNP 2
(66.67)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T21
(29)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Brendon Todd
(94.67 pts)
CUT
(-3.33)
64
(0)
T8
(25)
DNP DNP DNP T20
(15)
T52
(0)
DNP T23
(36)
T17
(22)
DNP DNP
Adam Long
(92.83 pts)
T31
(6.33)
T49
(0.5)
T56
(0)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP 74
(0)
5
(46.67)
T13
(49.33)
T51
(0)
DNP DNP
Alex Noren
(92.67 pts)
DNP T8
(25)
T40
(5)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 76
(0)
DNP T17
(44)
T22
(18.67)
DNP DNP
Patrick Cantlay
(90 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
T12
(19)
DNP DNP T8
(50)
DNP T38
(12)
DNP T43
(9.33)
T43
(4.67)
DNP DNP
Billy Horschel
(89.5 pts)
2
(33.33)
CUT
(-5)
T33
(8.5)
DNP DNP DNP 30
(10)
T28
(22)
DNP T38
(16)
T43
(4.67)
DNP DNP
Talor Gooch
(84 pts)
T25
(8.33)
T18
(16)
T65
(0)
T37
(13)
CUT
(-6.67)
CUT
(-10)
DNP 5
(70)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Ryan Palmer
(83.33 pts)
DNP T8
(25)
T40
(5)
DNP DNP T34
(16)
T24
(13)
T17
(33)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
T43
(4.67)
DNP DNP
Tom Hoge
(76.67 pts)
T27
(7.67)
CUT
(-5)
T65
(0)
T28
(22)
T29
(14)
T24
(26)
DNP T38
(12)
DNP DNP T58
(0)
DNP DNP
Kevin Streelman
(65.67 pts)
DNP T61
(0)
T51
(0)
DNP T3
(60)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T21
(29)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP
Jason Day
(49.33 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
64
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP WD
(-5)
DNP T38
(16)
T4
(53.33)
DNP DNP
Adam Scott
(47.17 pts)
DNP T58
(0)
T25
(12.5)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T38
(16)
T22
(18.67)
DNP DNP
Justin Rose
(45.33 pts)
CUT
(-3.33)
T25
(12.5)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T52
(0)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
9
(30)
T37
(19.5)
DNP
Tyler Duncan
(43.83 pts)
T13
(12.33)
T29
(10.5)
T48
(1)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T28
(22)
DNP T34
(21.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Adam Hadwin
(38 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
T40
(5)
DNP DNP T34
(16)
DNP T28
(22)
DNP 54
(0)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP
Joel Dahmen
(35.33 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
T20
(15)
DNP T52
(0)
T58
(0)
DNP T38
(12)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
T10
(26.67)
DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

Who’s Not Hot in the field for the Zozo Championship

Player Wyndham Champ. Northern Trust BMW Champ. Sanderson Farms Safeway Open Shriners Hospitals Tour Champ. CJ Cup Corales U.S. Open PGA Champ. BMW PGA Scottish Open
Jazz Janewattananond
(-45 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-13.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
CUT
(-15)
CUT
(-10)
Nick Taylor
(-31.67 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
T51
(0)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T61
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Shaun Norris
(-30 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-13.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-10)
Chan Kim
(-20 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-13.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Satoshi Kodaira
(-20 pts)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Carlos Ortiz
(-17.83 pts)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-5)
T25
(12.5)
CUT
(-10)
T46
(2.67)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T48
(2)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Marc Leishman
(-14.5 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
69
(0)
DNP DNP DNP 29
(10.5)
T52
(0)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP
Phil Mickelson
(-14.33 pts)
DNP CUT
(-5)
DNP DNP T44
(4)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-13.33)
T71
(0)
DNP DNP
Takumi Kanaya
(-13.33 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-13.33)
DNP DNP DNP
Jordan Spieth
(-13 pts)
T72
(0)
CUT
(-5)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP T38
(12)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
T71
(0)
DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

The Buzz:

Because of COVID-19, this event moves to California from Japan.  Like Shadow Creek, which was very well received, the same with Sherwood Country Club could be one of Jack Nicklaus’ better courses.  It’s a type of course in which players have to think and strategize on, so that is one reason you will see an experienced player do well on.

Let’s talk about Draftkings.

Is it my imagination that some games on Kraftkings have gotten close to impossible?  We all love the possibilities of winning big. This week’s $500K resurgence pays off $100,000 for first place.  But the big problem is 58,000 others are looking for that $100,000 prize, which makes this more like a lottery than a game of skill.  In football and baseball, with high-end stats and a disciple system, you can do well.  In team sports, players have to maintain an even standard of play, making it easier to win acceptable size checks.  But golf is not a sport in which players have to maintain a high level of play all the time.  As a matter of fact, even for the best, being right most of the time is impossible.  An example of this was on display last week when Matthew Wolff finished 2nd, losing a playoff at the Shriners and four days later at the CJ Cup shot 80.  Wolff did get a bit better but still finished 73rd in a field of 78 and put a severe kink to anyone’s picks.  Over the last three years, I have made money on weekly DraftKings picks, but not in these games.  The biggest check I have ever cashed is $1,500, and in these games in which 50,000 others play, I don’t do well in.

The point I am trying to make, for those playing DraftKings, you have to keep in games that have under 5,000 playing.  Yes, the $50K albatross game, which costs $12 to join, only pays $5,000 for first, but you have a much better chance of making money in this game than the big game.  The one thing that you have to understand in these big games, the real money payouts are for those in the top-15 to 20.  And if you have 58,000 in the game, your odds are small.  So, where is the money in playing golf on DraftKings?  The double-up games cost you $50 to play in a game in which 227 are in the game, and the top-100 get paid $100.  Same with games that cost $10 and have 31 in it, and the top-nine win $30.  Of course, the payoffs aren’t big, you won’t get rich on these games, but you have a better chance of cashing a check.  I am not saying not to play in those big games, I do at least one buy in the big game hoping “to hit the lottery.”

I can only say that if we get a bit more disciplined in the games, we pick along with who we pick.  Tell me your stories, and how you feel about this?

Course information:
  • Sherwood Country Club
  • 36 – 36 = 72
  • 3,605 – 3,468 = 7,073

The 18-hole Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, CA is a private golf course that opened in 1989. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Sherwood Country Club measures 7088 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 144 and a 75.4 USGA rating. Greens and fairways are bentgrass.

Lake Sherwood was originally Potrero Lake and is the oldest man-made lake in California. It was built in 1904 and is approximately 165 acres and was the site of many movies. It was changed to Lake Sherwood when the surrounding areas, used for the filming of “Robin Hood,” starring Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., in 1921, became known as “Sherwood Forest” and “Maid Marian Park.”  When you see the mountains in the background, it was also the site of the old TV show M*A*S*H with helicopter shots that were done around Sherwood.

Today the club has a who’s who of celebrities. People like Kenny G, Mel Gibson, Caitlyn Jenner, Wayne Gretzky, Scott Hamilton, Kevin James, Tom Kelly, Craig T. Nelson, Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci, Tom Selleck, Jane Seymour, Will Smith, Kevin Sorbo, Sylvester Stallone, and Justin Timberlake are members, and most have homes on the course.

The land was purchased by David Murdock, who wanted to build not only the best course in the Los Angeles area but create the most prestigious course with a massive clubhouse.  He hired Jack Nicklaus to build the course, and Nicklaus had a great piece of land to work with.  To make the course look even better, Murdock spent $6 million on several hundred mature oaks transplanted and put on the course giving it a natural look.  Nicklaus also trucked in several massive boulders to put around ponds and streams on the course along with an enormous water array on the par 3, 15th hole.

The course has 51 bunkers, and 8 holes have water that comes into play, including the last hole, one of the most picturesque holes in golf.  The course is very playable. The greens are 7,200 square feet and have enough undulations to make the pros to worry for a second or two.

Sherwood was the host of multiple off-season events. It hosted the Shark Shootout, a team-play event hosted by Australian great Greg Norman, from the event’s inception in 1989 to 1999. It then hosted the World Challenge, a PGA Tour-recognized golf tournament hosted by Tiger Woods each December, from 2000 to 2013.  In 2016, Sherwood became the host of the Champions Tour event, the PowerShares QQQ Championship, and was played for three years. Those playing this week that have won at Sherwood include Tiger Woods, who won in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2011.

The only problem with Sherwood’s pick is that players will love it so much they will want this event to move there permanently, which won’t happen since this event is handpicked to be held in Japan.  It’s on the schedule for this year because of the coronavirus, and come next year will probably be back in Japan.

One of the reasons players love this course is the weather. It’s going to be perfect all week with temperatures right around 70 with no rain and limited winds.

So who does Sherwood favor the most?

We have very little historical data on Sherwood, even though there have been over a dozen events played on it.  Yes, the seniors played on the course between 2016 and 2018, but their stats are minimal, but two items stick out.  Those that played well generally hit a lot of greens and put well. Maybe this is the reason that Tiger won at Sherwood five times in the World Challenge.  Now you would think that Tiger would probably have a bit of an advantage, but you have to look at two players who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, Collin Morikawa, and Matthew Wolff.  As for Morikawa, he said he only played the course a couple of times and remembered very little of it, other than going as a kid to the Hero World Challenge and trying to get autographs.  As for Wolff, he could be your guy since he has played the course several times.  The reason I brought this up was last week, nobody knew that Jason Kodrak was an ambassador for MGM resorts, which owns Shadow Creek, and the course was almost a home course since he had played it two dozen times.

Last week I felt that experience was essential in winning, and despite not thinking about Jason Kodrak, we all now see his local knowledge help him to his first tour win.  Still, I can’t stress experience because Sherwood is one of those sites that will be hard for a first-timer to win on.  In looking for a winning score, probably in the 17, 18 under range.

DraftKings tips

*Here are the guys that cost the most on DraftKings this week:

  • Xander Schauffele – $11,200
  • Jon Rahm – $11,000
  • Justin Thomas – $10,600
  • Rory McIlroy – $10,400
  • Tyrrell Hatton – $10,000
  • Collin Morikawa – $9,800
  • Webb Simpson – $9,700
  • Patrick Reed – $9,600
  • Tony Finau – $9,500
  • Patrick Cantlay – $9,400
  • Hideki Matsuyama – $9,300
  • Viktor Hovland – $9,200
  • Matthew Wolff – $9,100
  • Tiger Woods – $9,000

For the second week in a row we have an event in which there won’t be a cut so we can have all six players generating points for 72 holes.  Unless you had Jason Day last week who withdrew during the final round.  The top choice Xander Schauffele at $11,200 is worth the money, other than a third round 74 he played well last week finishing 2nd.  Have to think he is the man going into the Masters and I wouldn’t worry about his price.  But for Jon Rahm at $11,000 and Justin Thomas at $10,600 both haven’t shown us much, especially Rahm.  As for Rory McIlroy at $10,400 he two is questionable, but I still think he is ready to bust out of his funk.  Now another person playing very week is Tyrrell Hatton who at $10,000 is worth the money.  He finished T-3rd last week and you have to think that jet-lag had something to do with that, so Hatton is a very good choice.  Collin Morikawa at $9,800 is too high, he has no advantage of playing the course a lot and his game is very inconsistent right now, so take a pass on him.  Now Webb Simpson at $9,700 is worth it, he has played well but nothing spectacular.  Patrick Reed at $9,600 is another choice, he finished T-3rd two weeks ago in London and has been good of late.  Tony Finau is $9,500 and I say no on him, he hasn’t played since the U.S. Open and hasn’t been able to play the last couple of weeks due to having COVID-19.  We have to wait and see how he is doing and see if he can pick up were he left off, with a T-8th at the U.S. Open.  Patrick Cantlay at $9,400 is another problem for me, first he is playing his third straight event which he rarely does.  Second other than a final round 67 at Shadow Creek, played terribly.  I would take a pass on him.  I have recommended Hideki Matsuyama a lot with bad results, he is $9,300 and I am giving up on him.  Guess that could be what he needs to play well.  Not a big fan of Viktor Hovland at $9,200, we have pointed out his lack of offensive in not making many birdies which is a problem in this game.  Matthew Wolff at $9,100 could be your guy due to local knowledge, yes I know he shot 80 and 77 at Shadow Creek but that is probably a course he won’t play again on.  Last we have Tiger Woods at $9,000.  Of course he will be the sentimental choice, especially since he has won so many times at Sherwood.  But be careful, don’t bet your house on him because we really don’t know what we will get from him.

*Players in that $7,500 to $8,900 price range, which ones are worth the money?:

I like Harris English at $8,800, he played solidly at Shadow Creek and has played well since the break.  Many will take Jason Kokrak at $8,600, but I would pass on him just for the fact that he could be very tired this week and just not play well.  But I will take Joaquin Niemann at $8,400 in a heartbeat.  He has the game to play well at Sherwood and I expect good things from him.  Russell Henley at $8,100 is also a great choice.  I took him last week and did well with him, look for him to have another great week.  Adam Scott is making a rare start and at $7,900 he is a good pick just for the fact that he makes a lot of birdies.  Also like Abraham Ancer at $7,800 he may of finished T-28th but didn’t play that bad.  Then we see Jason Day at $7,600.  Have to say that he is on my no-go list after his WD due to neck injury.  A shame, Day had been making progress since the break, but we all know that between his back and neck he is a ticking time-bomb that can go off at any time.  For those that took Day last week, they realize what I am talking about

*Some of the “bargains” this week at the Zozo Championship

Phil Mickeson at $7,500 is worth the gamble when you think there is no missed cut and Phil does make a lot of birdies.  Cameron Smith at $7,200 is also good, played well last week and made a lot of points for a low cost option.  Another good choice at the $7,200 price is Sebastian Munoz who finished 9th last week.  Talor Gooch at $7,100 is a good longshot, he finished 5th last week.  Have to say was very surprised to see Kevin Kisner at $6,800.  Jump all over this, he may of finished T-45th last week but opened with a 77 and shot 71-67-71 after.  If you need someone at $6,000 Ryo Ishikawa could be a great pick, yes a bit worried about jet-lag, he comes over from Japan were he was T-3rd at the Japan Open.

Here are some of the secrets of what it takes to play well at the Zozo Championship:

The key stat for the winner:
  • Of the field of 78 players, only a handful have seen the course.  So for each player it will be a new adventure learning the course.
  • Here are some more key stats to look to for this week:
  • The course will be in perfect condition and the greens will be demanding so look towards that love fast, sloppy greens.
  • So those that think they can bomb away and run away with the tournament will have a big problem.  Finesse and strategy will be very important in doing well for the week.
  • Last year shocked us with Tiger winning, could that happen again?  You never know.
  • One last thing, look for players that have done well of late.

Who to watch for at the Zozo Championship

Best Bets:

Xander Schauffele

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T10

Still playing the best and with the course set up for a player like Xander, he is the favorite.

Tyrell Hatton

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

People don’t realize how good he is playing right now.

Harris English

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

Played well last week and has been good since the break.

Best of the rest:

Justin Thomas

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T17

He is so good he could break out and win at any time.

Webb Simpson

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

Has cooled off a bit, but this course is good for him and he can win.

Matthew Wolff

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T13

Yes he was terrible last week, hopefully has gotten that out of his system as he plays an event very close to his hometown.

Rory McIlroy

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T3

Has not played like the player he is, only a matter of time before he breaks this winless streak.

Jon Rahm

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

We know he can win just about any week, but his game has been spotty of late.

Solid contenders

Joaquin Niemann

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T33

Watch him, has been playing well and Sherwood sets up for him perfectly.

Russell Henley

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

This guy has been playing great since the break and he could win at any time.

Patrick Reed

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T17

He too is playing well and this course should suit his game.

Hideki Matsuyama

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
2

Surprised he isn’t playing better, has the game from tee to green to do well.

Kevin Kiser

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

Course is perfect for him, he can surprise us all.

Long shots that could come through:

Tiger Woods

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
Win

Again a sentimental pick, we really don’t know what the state of his game is. But we know that Woods has done well at Sherwood and won a lot so maybe we can see something special.

Phil Mickelson

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

Is now 2 for 2 on the Champions Tour, but the question can he still win on the PGA Tour. This is a good test to see if it can happen, I think he will play well.

Ryo Ishikawa

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T51

Was T-3rd last week in the Japan Open.

Comments

  1. bsipe34@hotmail.com says

    I agree with you about DraftKings contest and I have found much better success playing in 1-3 entry contest(cant compete with super computers where people are putting up to 150 entries in the Million Dollar Contest), specifically the MULTIPLIERS!!

  2. The big games are losers. If you want to make a lot of money, Instead of putting 150 different enteries in the “big” game, spread that money on different smaller games like the double up and you will increase your profit with the more games you play.

  3. howister12@verizon.net says

    can u please fix ur odds . thank u

  4. Ok, howister, now understand what you were saying.
    For years we have used http://golfodds.com which is run in Vegas.

    But now see they are no longer doing odds, must of gone out of business. Will check for future, sorry. Sal

  5. howister12@verizon.net says

    i used to hit the link at the top of this page and it would come right up . i dont know whats going on now . drops me to something i never seen before . thanks for all u do my friend.

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