Sahith Theegala and Top Golfers to Compete in Japan’s ZOZO Championship

Indian American golfer Sahith Theegala, who recently finished third at the TOUR Championship, will be making his third appearance at the ZOZO Championship next month. The 26-year-old, who won his first TOUR victory at the Procore Championship last September, had eight top-10 finishes this season and is currently ranked 11th in the world. He will also be part of the US Team in the Presidents Cup against the International Team in Canada later this month.

Theegala expressed his excitement about competing in Japan, saying, “One of the cool things about professional golf is that we get the opportunity to compete in different countries around the world, and Japan is one of my favourite countries. This will be my third time competing in the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP and I look forward to this challenging test of golf against a world-class field. I would love to win at this prestigious event.”

The ZOZO Championship, held at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club from October 24-27, will feature top golfers like Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, 2017 FedExCup champion Justin Thomas, six-time PGA TOUR winners Rickie Fowler and Max Homa, and Presidents Cup stars Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Si Woo Kim, and Sungjae Im. Defending champion Collin Morikawa, two-time major winner Xander Schauffele, and rising stars Min Woo Lee and Will Zalatoris will also compete for a total prize fund of USD 8.5 million.

Travis Steiner, Executive Director of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, said, “After a stellar 2024 season with two PGA TOUR victories and a historic bronze medal for Japan at the Paris Olympic Games, it is tremendous that Japan’s leading golfer and our 2021 champion, Hideki Matsuyama, has committed to play in the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP once again. Our fans will also enjoy the opportunity to watch three of the TOUR’s biggest stars in Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Max Homa. We look forward to welcoming Sahith Theegala, who is coming off an impressive third-place finish in the FedExCup, and International Team members, Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.”

Matsuyama, who is currently ranked seventh in the world, won the 2024 Genesis Invitational and FedEx St. Jude Championship, bringing his career tally to 10 PGA TOUR victories. He also won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games, Japan’s first medal in men’s golf. Matsuyama said, “As a member of the PGA TOUR in 2024, I am delighted that the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP will once again be held in Japan, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those involved that help make this event possible each and every year. Winning this tournament at ACCORDIA GOLF Narashino Country Club back in 2021, surrounded by all the amazing fans, engulfed in the most incredible atmosphere is something that I will never forget. I’ve won twice this year on the PGA TOUR and was also able to bring home the bronze medal from the Paris Olympics to Japan and I will give all that I’ve got to win again in front of my home crowd in Japan.”

Rickie Fowler, whose maternal grandfather is Japanese, has participated in the last four editions of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, with his best finish being T2 in 2022. Fowler said, “It is always a privilege to compete in Japan due to my family heritage. The golf course at ACCORDIA GOLF Narashino Country Club is a wonderful venue and has celebrated many great champions over the years. Outside of the tournament, we get to enjoy the Japanese hospitality, culture and great food which are always amazing. Ultimately, I’ll be going over with the goal to put my name on the trophy.”

The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP will feature a 78-man field competing over four rounds with no cut. It is one of eight official FedExCup Fall events and includes designated players from the Japan Golf Tour Organization.