2019 Zozo Championship Recap

Tiger Woods Earns Landmark 82nd Victory at the Zozo Championship

Chiba, Japan – The PGA Tour’s first-ever trip to Japan proved to be a memorable one. After the tournament’s schedule was significantly altered by rain, Tiger Woods (-19) finished as wire-to-wire leader to claim his 82nd career victory, tying him for most all-time with Sam Snead. Hideki Matsuyama (-16) finished behind him in solo second.

Woods started the week with a round of 64 that saw him T1 with 2019 U.S. Open champ Gary Woodland. Players wouldn’t see the course again for nearly two full days after torrential rains arrived and left the course and surroundings areas running with water.

At the close of round two, Woods had opened up a two shot lead on Woodland by firing another 64 to get to -12. The next closest players were Hideki Matsuyama and Keegan Bradley, two back of Woodland at -8. Despite soft conditions, many players struggled to go low on a course that few players had prior experience with.

The third and the majority of the fourth rounds were played Sunday (Saturday evening in the U.S.) with an early Monday start to finish out the final few holes. With a three stroke lead on Matsuyama and seven holes left to play Monday morning, Woods kept his focus and gave golf fans what they hoped to see. Paradoxically, because of the early Monday finish, the crowds were likely among the smallest Woods had played in front of since he first turned pro in 1996.

Other players who had positive performances include Rory McIlroy, who finished T3 at -13; Sungjae Im, also -13, continued to show the consistency that indicates his first PGA Tour victory will likely happen sooner rather than later; and Gary Woodland also had a great week and finished in fifth at -12.

Next week, many of the world’s top players head to China for the WGC-HSBC Champions (Xander Schauffele is defending champion there) while other players on the PGA Tour will make a visit to Bermuda for the Bermuda Championship.