Welcome back PGA and golf fans! We are back for another Wednesday article ahead of the ZOZO Championship, held in Japan. If you read last week's column, we cashed our 2 main picks and also cashed 1 of the 4 bonus plays listed.
This week's tournament is a little different, with no cut, so every player has a chance to make some noise on the weekend and I am here for it.
We also have some high-profile names back this weekend, Schauffele, Morikawa, and Matsuyama, among others. There is rain predicted Sunday so that is something to look out for, and I have found 3 top plays I like for this weekend!
Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, located in Chiba, Japan, is a par 70, 7,079-yard course. This tournament has been held at this club in 4 of its 5 years on tour. The course is landscaped with an abundance of trees, with perfectly situated bunkers, and a little water to whet your appetite.
Players that typically stand out here are great ball strikers, players that are excellent tee-to-green, have solid approach games and can stay out of danger off the tee. I have used this information, along with current form, and past performances at this course to find value in the lines this week.
Last week we cashed Harry Hall top 40, and while I would love to get another top 40 position play here, with no cut, those options are not available. These no-cut events are rather difficult to navigate the market as most finishing position lines are juiced unless you take bigger risks.
Hall has been in spectacular form, and even though some of that has come in his more desired desert-like courses, his form and success last season here gives me confidence in this play. He is coming off a T9, T35, MC, T24, 1, T12, 3 finishes inside the top 30, while he finished 21st here last year coming in off a T26.
I believe he is in better form now than when he was last season at this time. He currently ranks 40th in strokes-gained total, 70th in approach, and 51st in putting. His driving distance should keep him in things in this tournament, and if he can stay in the fairway, he has a fantastic shot to finish well again.
Going back to Beau Hossler here but taking a different approach. No doubt these matchups can be tricky, but I believe Hossler can get Kim here. He has played better on this course previously, has been playing competitive golf the past few months, and has been in great form.
Hossler is coming in off a T23, T11, 2nd, MC, and a T12, meanwhile Kim has not played since August 25th. Si Woo Kim had this same pattern last season, took almost 2 months off, came back, missed a cut, and then finished T71 the following tournament. Kim's last time here he finished T45, while Hossler's last two events here have yielded a T2 and 16.
Hossler at this same time last season was in incredible form, finishing the year with 9 top 30s leading to a T2 here. Hossler is 33rd on tour in strokes-gained total, 85th off the tee, and 16th in putting which are good enough for another good finish!
Best Bets (2):
Harry Hall Top 30 Finishing Position (-120) Bet365
Beau Hossler over Si Woo Kim (-105) DraftKings
Bonus Bet:
Kurt Kityama over Min Woo Lee (-125) BetRivers