From pgatour.com
The deadline has come and gone and the field is set as 78 players prepare to descend on Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, for next week’s Zozo Championship.
Earlier in the year, PGA Tour and Zozo Inc. officials announced a shift in the event from Japan this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The elite field includes the top-10 from the 2019-20 FedEx Cup standings, 54 Tour winners with a total of 351 titles, and 14 major champions highlighted by 82-time winner and defending champion, Tiger Woods.
Also committed to the Zozo Championship are Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and 2020 Rookie of the Year Scottie Scheffler.
Joining them are recent PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa, rising star Matthew Wolff and 14-time PGA Tour winner Adam Scott.
Reigning FedEx Cup Champion Dustin Johnson is committed to play alongside world no. 2 Jon Rahm, both making their tournament debuts.
Two-time FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy will compete in the Zozo event for a second consecutive year after finishing T3 in 2019.
The Gretzsky connection
Although 2020 will mark Johnson’s Zozo Championship debut, he is no stranger to the area with strong ties to Sherwood via his famed soon-to-be father-in-law, Wayne Gretzky, a resident and member of the club.
The current world no. 1 will make his fourth professional start at Sherwood next week where he shot a low round of 61 in 2014 and competed three times at the venue in the Hero World Challenge.
“It is a pleasure to welcome such an elite group of global stars highlighted by defending champion Tiger Woods for the 2020 Zozo Championship,,” said Executive Director Travis Steiner.
“With such a strong field, the event will undoubtedly deliver an exciting competition for our fans in Japan, the United States and all around the world tuning in from home.”
Record-equalling win
Last year, Woods equalled Sam Snead’s long-standing record of 82 career wins on the PGA Tour with his three-stroke victory at the inaugural Zozo event at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan.
Woods led from start to finish to beat Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, while Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Sungjae Im of Korea shared third place at Japan’s first official PGA Tour event.
Sherwood is a Jack Nicklaus signature designed golf course and was the venue for Woods’ tournament, the Hero World Challenge, from 2000 to 2013.
Woods won the event five times (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2011) and finished runner-up on five other occasions.
High expectations
It has raised anticipation that the Zozo Championship @ Sherwood could produce a record-breaking 83rd PGA Tour title for Woods.
“I am excited to defend my title. It is disappointing that we will not be able to play in Japan this year, but Sherwood Country Club will be a great backdrop for what I know will be a great championship,” Woods said.
Matsuyama, runner-up to Woods in Chiba last October, will also headline the $8 million showpiece.
A five-time winner, Matsuyama is the most successful Japanese golfer on the PGA Tour.
Adding some local flair are University of California-Berkeley alumnus Collin Morikawa and Agoura Hills native Matthew Wolff, each making their event debut.
Sherwood is just seven miles from Westlake High School where 21-year-old Wolff attended and is even closer to Westlake Golf Course where he honed his craft and perfected a unique swing as a young player.
Also read: Top PGA stars commit to relocated CJ Cup, Zozo C’ship
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