Expert Picks: Mayakoba Golf Classic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Ryan Alford of Shreveport, Louisiana, a regular practice partner of PGA TOUR pro Sam Burns, shot a three-under 68 to capture the APGA Tour Scottsdale title Tuesday at TPC Scottsdale’s Champions Course. The 24 year-old former Louisiana Tech golfer and high school teammate of Burns, fired a 65-68-133 (9 under overall) to top 2020 APGA Tour Player of the Year Tim O’Neal by three strokes with Tommy Schaff of Ridgeland, South Carolina, in third place, another stroke behind. Willie Mack of Flint, Michigan, and Aaron Beverly of Fairfield, California, tied for fifth at 3 under. Mack, who has teed off in two PGA TOUR events this year, has another sponsor exemption into the Korn Ferry Tour’s Huntsville Championship April 29-May 2 in Huntsville, Alabama. Phoenix resident Doug Smith led a group of five players tied for seventh place at even par. “Told myself just try to keep it simple,” offered Alford, who is the fourth consecutive first-time winner in the APGA Tour 2021 season. “We had a good week.” Alford was on the leaderboard last week at APGA Tour Las Vegas before playing the final nine holes at 6 over. “I changed my mindset,” he continued. “Told myself to erase the bad and keep going with the good. Talent is not the issue. It’s just a matter of getting it done.” Alford was three-under on the back nine, including an eagle at the par-5 10th. A tap-in birdie on the par-5 17th provided some breathing room and Alford pocketed the first place check of $7,500 from the $25,000 purse. The other first-time winners on the APGA Tour this year are Jarred Garcia, who took the Black History Month Classic at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Rovonta Young, the victor at APGA Tour at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, and Kamaiu Johnson, who won APGA Tour Las Vegas last week. The competition at the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course (7,115-yards, par 71) was the sixth tournament of the year for the 13-event circuit whose mission is to bring greater diversity to the sport of golf. A total of 62 players, including seven amateurs, competed in the tournament and all activities were conducted under social-distancing and health/safety guidelines in conjunction with regional authorities. Scores and additional detail are available at www.bluegolf.com. The APGA Tour 2021 season reaches its midpoint May 23-25 when APGA Tour Louisville is contested at famed Valhalla Golf Club, which is owned and operated by PGA of America.

Click here to read the full article…

Click here to read the full article…

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The PGA TOUR and ZOZO, Inc. – which operates the largest Japanese online fashion website “ZOZOTOWN� – today announced a six-year agreement that establishes the first annual, official PGA TOUR tournament in Japan. The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, which will be co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), is set to debut at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club the week of October 21, 2019, during the opening segment of the 2019-20 PGA TOUR FedExCup Season. The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, with a Japan-record purse of US$9.75 million, will become part of the TOUR’s swing through Asia, joining THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in Korea and World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China. The CIMB Classic in Malaysia no longer will be on the PGA TOUR schedule, as CIMB is realigning its sponsorship with the TOUR. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the first annual, official PGA TOUR event to Japan through our partnership with ZOZO, Inc.,� said Ty Votaw, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President, International.  “Japan’s passion for golf is widely recognized and something our stars have experienced first-hand through various events held here and the support of standout PGA TOUR players like champion Hideki Matsuyama. Today’s announcement further strengthens our presence in Asia and certainly comes at an opportune time with golf set to follow its highly successful return to the Olympics in Rio when Tokyo hosts the 2020 Games.� “I’ve been inspired by golf as a player and as a fan for nearly 10 years now. Opportunities such as going on rounds with my 73-year-old father, and practicing with my sons who are now in elementary school, all came from my love for golf,� said Yusaku Maezawa, ZOZO Inc. CEO. “ZOZO, Inc. has celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, and we have launched our private fashion brand ZOZO, which is designed, developed and distributed by us. The concept of the brand is to create the perfect fit for every unique body by using body measurement technology.  Just like golf has the power to motivate and connect people all over the world, regardless of nationality, gender, age or body shape, we hope to grow our private brand ZOZO into a brand that is loved all over the world, regardless of big, small, tall or short. “I am extremely grateful of this miracle of becoming a title sponsor of the historical and prestigious PGA TOUR for the very first Japan tournament, and to be able to hold this tournament in Chiba prefecture, where our roots are.� The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP field will consist of 78 professionals, including 60 available players from the previous season’s FedExCup points list, 10 designated by the JGTO and eight special exemptions. The PGA TOUR, which opened an office in Tokyo in 2016, has a long history in Japan, starting with its involvement in the 1957 World Cup of Golf in Tokyo. After the first three editions of the event took place in Canada and the United States, the tournament was held outside North America for the first time in 1957 when the Kasumigaseki Club (which will host the 2020 Olympic golf competition) saw the U.S. team of Ben Hogan and Sam Snead take the title. Japan subsequently hosted the 1966 and 2001 World Cups. PGA TOUR Champions also has had a presence in Japan, starting with a team event from 1989-91 in which four Champions Tour players competed against counterparts from Japan. The Tour returned in 2017 with a tournament at Narita Golf Club and will return to the club in June of 2019 with the Mastercard Japan Championship. Every year since 1993, the PGA TOUR has had at least one Japanese player on its roster including two for the 2018-19 Season: Hideki Matsuyama and Satoshi Kodaira. Five players have accounted for 11 PGA TOUR victories over the years, led by Matsuyama with five and Shigeki Maruyama with three. Isao Aoki, Ryuji Imada and Kodaira each have won once.

Click here to read the full article…