. The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, which will be co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), is set to debut at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club the week of October 21, 2019, during the opening segment of the 2019-20 PGA TOUR FedExCup Season.

The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, with a Japan-record purse of US$9.75 million, will become part of the TOUR’s swing through Asia, joining THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in Korea and World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China. The CIMB Classic in Malaysia no longer will be on the PGA TOUR schedule, as CIMB is realigning its sponsorship with the TOUR.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the first annual, official PGA TOUR event to Japan through our partnership with ZOZO, Inc.,” said Ty Votaw, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President, International.  “Japan’s passion for golf is widely recognized and something our stars have experienced first-hand through various events held here and the support of standout PGA TOUR players like champion Hideki Matsuyama. Today’s announcement further strengthens our presence in Asia and certainly comes at an opportune time with golf set to follow its highly successful return to the Olympics in Rio when Tokyo hosts the 2020 Games.”

“I’ve been inspired by golf as a player and as a fan for nearly 10 years now. Opportunities such as going on rounds with my 73-year-old father, and practicing with my sons who are now in elementary school, all came from my love for golf,” said Yusaku Maezawa, ZOZO Inc. CEO. “ZOZO, Inc. has celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, and we have launched our private fashion brand ZOZO, which is designed, developed and distributed by us. The concept of the brand is to create the perfect fit for every unique body by using body measurement technology.  Just like golf has the power to motivate and connect people all over the world, regardless of nationality, gender, age or body shape, we hope to grow our private brand ZOZO into a brand that is loved all over the world, regardless of big, small, tall or short.

“I am extremely grateful of this miracle of becoming a title sponsor of the historical and prestigious PGA TOUR for the very first Japan tournament, and to be able to hold this tournament in Chiba prefecture, where our roots are.”

The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP field will consist of 78 professionals, including 60 available players from the previous season’s FedExCup points list, 10 designated by the JGTO and eight special exemptions.

The PGA TOUR, which opened an office in Tokyo in 2016, has a long history in Japan, starting with its involvement in the 1957 World Cup of Golf in Tokyo. After the first three editions of the event took place in Canada and the United States, the tournament was held outside North America for the first time in 1957 when the Kasumigaseki Club (which will host the 2020 Olympic golf competition) saw the U.S. team of Ben Hogan and Sam Snead take the title. Japan subsequently hosted the 1966 and 2001 World Cups.

PGA TOUR Champions also has had a presence in Japan, starting with a team event from 1989-91 in which four Champions Tour players competed against counterparts from Japan. The Tour returned in 2017 with a tournament at Narita Golf Club and will return to the club in June of 2019 with the Mastercard Japan Championship.

Every year since 1993, the PGA TOUR has had at least one Japanese player on its roster including two for the 2018-19 Season: Hideki Matsuyama and Satoshi Kodaira. Five players have accounted for 11 PGA TOUR victories over the years, led by Matsuyama with five and Shigeki Maruyama with three. Isao Aoki, Ryuji Imada and Kodaira each have won once.

The Serbian coach expects nothing less than a tough duel with the Azkals at Panaad Stadium as both teams aim to secure entry to the semifinals with a third straight victory.

“It’s definitely an important match for both teams as the team that will win gets to the semifinals,” Rajevac said. “We’re expecting a tough match and we will be preparing well for this match. Mr. (Sven Goran) Eriksson is a great coach. We are both experienced coaches and we know the importance of this match.”

The Thais, winners of the last two editions of the competition, haven’t lost in 16 meetings with the Filipinos in the last 46 years. The two sides have met eight times in the competition with the Thais winning seven of the eight. A goalless draw in the first leg of the 2014 semifinals in Manila was the Azkals’ best result against the War Elephants in recent years.

While the Thais are in razor-sharp form in victories over Timor Leste (7-0) and Indonesia (4-2), the Filipinos have been far from convincing in wins over Singapore (1-0) and Timor Leste (3-2).

But Rajevac refused to read too much on the two team’s recent results. “It doesn’t necessarily mean anything if you look at the goal difference of the matches,” he said.

“Both teams are in the Asian Cup. Both teams are developing which means they want to play in a higher level in Asia. It’s a tough match and you know everybody will do everything in their power to get something out of this match. It will be a tight match and an interesting match.”

Rajevac admitted that playing at home gives the Philippines an advantage, although a heavy downpour is expected during the match as Tropical Depression Samuel makes landfall in the island.

“The advantage is for the Philippines because they know the environment,” he said. “They know the ground and this is probably their biggest advantage. But the team that is able to adapt quickly to the situation (when it rains) also has a great chance.”

The Serbian said his only edge over Eriksson could be his familiarity of the players in the Thai squad, having spent the last 18 months with the team, while the Swede has only been in the job for almost three weeks.

Eriksson is brimming with optimism although he knows the odds will be stacked on his travel-weary team.

“Thailand is the favorite to win this group,” he said. “I hope we can change that tomorrow. If we play good football, we have a good chance. We have to be positive.”

Eriksson was far from satisfied by the performance against Timor Leste, although the first half display where the Azkals scored twice was something they can build on.

“We have to play better if we want to beat Thailand,” said Eriksson. “I’m confident that the players are focused for the big game.”

The game at the Panaad Stadium will be Thailand’s biggest so far after two easy home wins, over Timor Leste (7-0) and Indonesia (4-1).

The island nation has three players who ply their trade in Europe: Neil Etheridge of Premier League Cardiff City, Daisuke Sato of Romania’s Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe  and John-Patrick Straub, who plays for Erzgebirge Aue in Germany’s second-tier league.

It will be clash between two teams with perfect records – the Philippines have also had two straight wins, over Singapore (1-0) and Timor (3-2).

“The tension will be quite high as both of us need this win to guarantee a semi-final spot,” said the 30-year-old Buriram United player.

The two top teams in each group will make the semis and if they win tonight, Thailand will secure their progression even if they lose their last group game against Singapore on Sunday.

“If we secure our [semi-final] spot we can rotate players in the next game and rest a few before the semi-final,” added Korrakot, who was among the scorers in the win over Indonesia.

The weather might affect the way the teams approach the game, with rain expected in several parts of the Philippines.

Moreover, Thailand’s preparations were inconvenienced somewhat by having to spend Monday night in Manila as their onward flight was cancelled due to Storm Toraji, which has claimed many lives in the central provinces. They duly arrived in Bacolod later than planned on Tuesday.

“I’ve heard it will rain heavily [during the game] but there won’t be any excuses. After all, we have to compete on the same pitch and under the same conditions,” Korrakot said.

The left back stressed that in order to prevail tonight he and his teammates will need to be highly focused and stick to their game plany.

“We have to be careful and remain at our own pace,” he said. “If we can’t score, we shouldn’t concede a goal either. I predict that it will all go down to the wire.”

Korrakot has worked briefly with Philippines head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson when he was playing for Bangkok-based BEC Tero in 2012 and the Swede was the team’s technical advisor.

He still has great respect for the former England manager.

“Even though I didn’t spend much time with him I could see he was a great coach,” said Korrakot. “He loves his players to think fast and react quickly, to be able to switch from defending to attacking at any time.”