ZoZo Championship Picks and Predictions: Sungjae Im Primed for a Top 5 Finish

PGA Tour – ZOZO Championship

Where: Narashino Country Club (Chiba, Japan)
When: October 24th – 27th
Watch: The Golf Channel, NBC Sports App, ESPN+

The ZOZO Championship is a prestigious golf tournament that has quickly become a significant event on the PGA Tour. Established in 2019, it is held annually in Japan, making it the first official PGA Tour event to be staged in the country. The tournament is typically played at the Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo, and it has garnered attention for its unique blend of Japanese culture and world-class golf. Sponsored by ZOZO, a Japanese online retail company, the event offers a substantial purse, attracting top-tier golfers from around the world. The tournament’s debut was marked by a historic win from Tiger Woods, who tied Sam Snead’s all-time record of 82 PGA Tour victories with his win.

This 72-hole stroke play event features a field of approximately 78 players with no cut, meaning all participants play through the final round. Narashino Country Club, known for its narrow, tree-lined fairways and undulating greens, presents a challenging test for golfers. The par-70 course with dual greens on each hole is designed to accommodate different seasonal conditions. Players will need to navigate water hazards, bunkers, and fast, sloped greens, making precision shot-making and putting critical for success.

Key Factors for This Weekend

As the ZOZO Championship tees off in Japan, the fast, undulating greens at Narashino will be a significant factor in determining the leaderboard. Approach shots and putting precision will be essential, with golfers needing to find optimal landing zones to avoid the challenging slopes. Let’s take a look at some key picks for the tournament.

My Pick: Sungjae Im – Top 5 Finish (+250)

Sungjae Im has been trending upward in 2024, and his well-rounded game makes him a strong contender this weekend. After finishing 7th at the Tour Championship in September, he enters this tournament with great momentum. With a positive strokes-gained-putting rating in his last eight events and his ability to drive the ball long and accurately, Im is a safe bet for a top 5 finish. If you’re feeling bold, his +1400 odds to win outright offer solid value.

My Pick: Matt Kuchar – Top 20 Finish (+150)

Veteran Matt Kuchar continues to defy expectations with consistent performances. After finishing T14 at the Shriners Open, Kuchar has placed inside the top 20 in four of his last five events. His accuracy and putting prowess will serve him well at Narashino, even if he lacks distance off the tee. While he may not contend for the win, a top-20 finish is a strong possibility.

My Pick: Justin Thomas to Win (+2000)

For a long-shot pick, Justin Thomas offers enticing odds at +2000. While 2024 hasn’t been his strongest year, Thomas has a knack for making cuts, and with no cut in this event, he has a chance to hang around and make a push for victory. His past successes and ability to perform under pressure make him a value play this weekend.