‘Tokyo Olympic Gold’ Schauffele "This Time Advancing for PGA Victory in Japan"... What About 'Home Course' Matsuyama?

2021/2022 Season 5th Match Zozo Championship Held in Japan, Morikawa Competes for Victory, Korea Led by Kim Si-woo

‘Tokyo Olympic Gold’ Xander Schauffele challenges for a PGA Tour victory at the Zozo Championship.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "The return of the Olympic gold medalist."

‘Tokyo Olympics Gold’ Xander Schauffele (USA) is now challenging for a PGA Tour victory in Japan. The Zozo Championship (total prize money $9.95 million), the 5th event of the 2021/2022 season, opens on the 21st at Accordia Golf Narashino Golf Club in Chiba Prefecture, Japan (par 70, 7,041 yards). ‘Masters Champion’ Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) is defending his home course, and world No. 3 Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler (both USA) have crossed the Pacific to compete.

Schauffele won the men’s golf gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last August, leading with a daily best 8-under par in the second round to secure victory by one stroke. It is interesting that his father is of mixed French and German descent, and his mother was born in Taiwan and raised in Japan from the age of two. He introduced himself saying, "I was raised at home with education familiar with Japanese culture," and "I still have relatives living in both Taiwan and Japan, so I have visited both countries several times."

This is why the PGA Tour has named Schauffele as the ‘top favorite to win.’ He reached his 4th career win at the Sentry Tournament in January 2019 but has been frustrated by finishing runner-up six times last year and this year. Moreover, this tournament is the stage where the ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (USA) became the inaugural champion in 2019. He also set the PGA Tour record for most wins tied with Sam Snead (82 career wins), drawing even more spotlight.

Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in the USA but has now returned to Japan. Morikawa’s form is formidable. On the 18th, at The Summit Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (par 72), he finished 2nd with a storming 10-under par final round at The CJ Cup. Fowler is also in revival mode, tying for 3rd at The CJ Cup. Korea’s Im Sung-jae (23) is resting due to a wrist injury, while Kim Si-woo (26), Lee Kyung-hoon (30), and Kang Sung-hoon (34, all CJ Logistics) are competing.