The Longshots Report: ZOZO Championship | Chances up to $181!

The Longshots Report is your guide to high-priced golfers that can earn us profits in some of the less popular markets without winning the Tournament – First Round Leader, Top 10, 20, Make Cut etc

Last week at the Shriners Children’s Open, three of our four picks made it through to the weekend. Unfortunately the best finishes we could muster were 28th (Hubbard) and 44th for both Gotterup and Hardy. Kitiyama missed the cut but more about that shortly.

This week we’re off to Japan for the Zozo Championship. It’s a limited field of 78 players with some big names involved as well as several of the world’s best Asian players. Last week’s winner Tom Kim and last year’s winner here, local Hideki Matsuyama, are also in the field.

It’s being played at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club and it’s made for ball-strikers.

The limited field makes the longshot value a little harder to find as we don’t get the same big prices on the outsiders… so slightly smaller prices amongst our hit squad for this week.

This Week’s Longshots

 Kurt Kitayama @ 48
 Aaron Rai @ 85
 Keita Nakajima  @ 181
 Yuto Katsuragawa @ 171

Kurt Kitayama

Also in our Hit Squad last week where we said “Has won three times in Asia so knows how to win if he gets near the frame. Has four Top 20s from his last six tournaments including 7th at the Italian Open a couple of weeks ago.”. That all still holds and we can blame a stone cold putter for last week’s missed cut where he finished BOTTOM 7 for SG: Putting. A big hitter that really wouldn’t surprise if he’s well-placed here.

$48

Aaron Rai

Caught the eye last week at the Shriners with a 3rd-round 62 before a lacklustre final round 71 left him in a share of 20th. Has won in Asia (2018 Hong Kong Open) on a similar tree-lined course and could show up this week.

$85

Keita Nakajima

Nakajima is making his pro debut this week after a brilliant amateur career. Has played in several pro events and even made it to 3 Majors last season where he missed the cut in all three. Big things expected and with his local support might find a new level this week.

$181

Yuto Katsuragawa

The world #102 that you’ve never heard of! Based in Japan, and also playing in other parts of Asia, he’s having a great 2022. He’s finished in the Top 20 in half of his 20 starts. His best result has been a win in the HANDA Championship as well as 4 runner up finishes, including last week in Japan. He qualified for the British Open and finished 47th in his only start outside Asia. He can play!

$171