This PGA championship may not be the largest in scale, nor does it possess the highest level of renown.
The Zozo Championship, held from Thursday to Sunday in Japan (late Wednesday night to early Sunday morning in West Virginia), is gaining popularity. Bettors from the Mountain State can now place their wagers on this tournament, which first took place in 2019 and saw Tiger Woods emerge as the victor.
Due to COVID-19, the event was relocated to California in the previous year.
In 2021, the tournament returns to Japan, offering a slightly distinct viewing experience for gamblers compared to other tournaments.
How to watch:
- The Golf Channel will be airing from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, October 20th.
- The Golf Channel will be airing from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, October 21.
- The Golf Channel will be airing from 11:30 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. EST on Friday, October 22.
- The Golf Channel will be airing from 11:30 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. EST on Saturday, October 23.
Zozo is well on its way to becoming a sensation, evident from its nearly $10 million purse and endorsement by WV sportsbooks. This highlights the growing popularity of golf, even during what was once considered its offseason.
Xander Schauffele holds the top spot as the favorite to win at +500 in the DraftKings WV Sportsbook. He is also listed at +130 for a top 5 finish and -165 for a top 10 placement.
Collin Morikawa’s odds are +700 to win, +150 for a top 5 finish, and -125 for a top 10 placement.
Hideki Matsuyama is currently listed at his most favorable odds this season, with +1200 to win, +275 for a top 5 finish, and +170 for a top 10 finish. In 2019, he finished in second place, just behind Woods.
The odds for Will Zalatoris to win are 1600 to 1, 3500 to 1 for a top 5 finish, and 170 to 1 for a top 10 finish.
The odds for Tommy Fleetwood to win are +2200, +450 for a top 5 finish, and +180 for a top 10 finish.
It’s an interesting mix.
Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings, informed Play WV that there are numerous talented Asian golfers who have yet to gain recognition. He stated that this week presents an opportunity for gamblers to consider placing bets on these players with favorable odds.
Cameron Tringale, Si Woo Kim, and Cheng-Tsung Pan, who are considered as long shots, have the potential to create some excitement.
Zozo Championship Betting At WV Sportsbooks
You can also find odds for this week’s PGA event at Caesars Sportsbook WV.
Gamblers, particularly those supporting Schauffele, can greatly benefit from line shopping. Schauffele is the co-favorite with Morikawa, both having odds of +750.
The significant disparity in the top position among sportsbooks is a rare occurrence. Those who support Morikawa would gladly seize the opportunity presented by these improved betting odds.
There are certain factors that may influence the outcome of calculations for the books, such as the possibility of American players experiencing jet lag due to their travel to Japan, as well as the anticipation of relatively unknown Asian players performing strongly.
Morikawa and Matsuyama are receiving considerable recognition, with Morikawa at +750 and Matsuyama at +1200. Morikawa showcased his talent by winning a recent tournament with an impressive score of 62. Meanwhile, Matsuyama, hailing from his home country, showcased his skill by finishing second in this event in 2019, only trailing behind Woods.
At Caesars, Zalatoris has odds of +1800, making him a prominent contender. On the other hand, Joaquin Neimann is considered a viable long shot with odds of +2200.
The book features a fascinating element related to the margin of victory.
- Three-shot margin +450
- Two shots +350
- One shot +250
- A playoff +300
The menu at BetMGM WV Sportsbook is quite impressive as well.
Is there a possibility of scoring a hole in one? The odds for achieving this feat in each round are +700.
Is Schauffele expected to be the first-round leader? The odds for “Yes” are +1100.
Morikawa also has favorable chances, as he is listed at +1200 to become the leader after the first round.
After one round, Matsuyama’s odds to lead are +2000.
It is common for the first round to feature an unfamiliar player. Therefore, it is reasonable to take a risk in that particular category.
However, it is also worth considering betting on the favorite to be in the competition.
Schauffele has odds of +225 to secure a position in the top 5 after the first round, while Morikawa’s odds stand at +250 and Matsuyama’s at +400.
Tringale, who may not be receiving much recognition in this group, still offers an impressive +600 odds to secure a spot in the top 5.
Betting The PGA By Round
You can seek out combinations of two or three teams to form a betting option. These pairings can be for a single round or for the entire tournament.
The odds on the leaderboard will be updated after each round, and the chance of finding a great value winner starts decreasing steadily in round three. Therefore, it is always a good idea to trust your intuition and make a bet early on.
Watching long-ball hitters navigate the course will be an enjoyable experience. In terms of the next-hole bets, the fourth hole presents a 553-yard par 5 and provides a genuine chance to make a birdie.
At 602 yards, Hole No. 6 offers a birdie opportunity, but players may find it difficult to reach in just two shots. It is often considered a true three-shot hole, prompting many to aim for a precise short third shot near the flagstick.
Hole number 9 poses a challenge for achieving a bogey. With a length of 520 yards, it is classified as a par 4, despite being typically associated with par-5 distances.
The sixth and 14th holes stretch over 600 yards each.
The 18th hole is a challenging par 5, stretching 593 yards. This makes it an ideal closing hole as it offers a tough yet enticing opportunity for a birdie. While many players will manage to achieve a birdie on this hole, it is not uncommon for a significant scoring shift to occur if the competition is closely contested going into the final hole.