Horses for Courses: ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP

While the enthronement ceremony is happening in Japan, the PGA TOUR will look to crown its first-ever champion on Japanese soil at the brand-new ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP. Located east of Tokyo in Chiba, Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club is a composite track that doesn’t even stretch to 7,100 yards and will play (34-36) Par-70. With five Par-3 holes, water and tree-lined fairways, those who keep it in play this week should thrive. Gamers, you aren’t seeing double, as each hole will have two green complexes. The design was to ensure that perfect green conditions, regardless of season, would be in play. The TOUR will NOT be using both greens during play, with the exception of one hole to honor this tradition. As is the case with new tracks used on TOUR, everyone will be learning on the fly, especially on the greens. With a field of only 78 (no cut) again, I’d expect the quickest learners, the elite, to make the most noise this week again. On the line is another $9.75 million purse, with the winner taking home $1.75 million and 500 FedExCup points. RELATED: Expert picks | Daily fantasy advice | Sleeper picks Key stat leaders Top golfers in each statistic on the 2018-19 PGA TOUR are listed only if they are scheduled to compete this week. Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green  1  Rory McIlroy  2  Justin Thomas  3  Hideki Matsuyama  4  Adam Scott  6  Paul Casey  7  Byeong-Hun An  9  Corey Conners 11 Xander Schauffele 13 Tommy Fleetwood 14 Jason Kokrak 15 Emiliano Grillo 16 Gary Woodland 18 Matt Fitzpatrick 19 Kevin Streelman 21 Tony Finau 23 Joaquin Niemann 25 Lucas Glover Strokes Gained: Putting  2  Jordan Spieth  4  Graeme McDowell  5  Andrew Putnam  8  Wyndham Clark  9  Vaughn Taylor 14 Pat Perez 16 Billy Horschel 20 Kevin Kisner 24 Ian Poulter 24 Rory McIlroy 30 Jason Day Greens in Regulation  1  Corey Conners  4  Paul Casey  6  Justin Thomas  7  Charles Howell III  9  Scott Piercy 15 Kevin Streelman 16 Jason Day 20 Hideki Matsuyama 28 Gary Woodland 30 Adam Scott Recent Winners on TOUR (entering this week) CJ CUP AT NINE BRIDGES: Justin Thomas (-20, 268) 11th win on TOUR. … Won for the second time in three events at NINE BRIDGES. … 27 birdies were two better than anyone else. … T3 GIR with 61/72. … Fired 63 in Round 2, tied for the lowest of the week. … T12 or better in his last eight worldwide starts. CJ CUP Notables: Danny Lee (2nd) was one of three players to put all four rounds in the 60s. … Gary Woodland (T3) picked up his best finish since winning the U.S. Open last summer. … Local favorite this week Hideki Matsuyama closed with 65 to share the final podium spot. … First round leader Byeong Hun An cashed T6. … Wyndham Clark, Ryan Moore and Jordan Spieth shared T8. Shriners Hospitals for Children Open: Kevin Na (-23, 261) Local resident posted 62-61 in the middle two rounds to claim his second victory on TOUR in 22 weeks. … Made a TOUR record of over 558 feet of putts. … Also posted 62 in his earlier victory at Colonial. … Defeated Patrick Cantlay in a playoff, even after taking a triple on the back nine. Shriners Notables: Pat Perez (3rd) skipped the Houston Open and cashed T31 last week. … Adam Hadwin (4th) is looking for his third-straight top-10 payday after solo second the week before at Silverado. … Joel Dahmen (T9) knocked the rust off for T43 last week. … Tony Finau (T9) also carded a 62. … Lucas Glover (T9) will be happy to see tight fairways this week. A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier: Joaquin Niemann (-21, 259) First win on TOUR came by six shots as he co-led after 36 and was the 54-hole leader. … Shot 62 in Round 2. … Only the third international to win on TOUR at 20 years of age, joining Ballesteros and McIlroy. … Second in GIR. Greenbrier Notables: Nate Lashley (T3) kept his red-hot summer going as he picked up his second podium after winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic in June. … Viktor Hovland (T10) kicked down the back door as his final round 64 tied Niemann for the best on Sunday.

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