We travel to Yokohama Country Club (par 71, 7,315 yards, bentgrass greens) in Yokohama, Japan, for the Baycurrent Classic this week. This event is formerly known as the ZOZO Championship and this is the first time Yokohama CC has hosted a PGA TOUR event. This week’s field consists of 78 players and there will be no cut.
Below, I have featured my two favorite bets for the Baycurrent Classic on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Kurt Kitayama to win (+2000)
Kitayama checks all the boxes this week and is a great bet to win the Baycurrent Classic at this price. The two-time PGA TOUR winner’s form is undeniable, as Kitayama is riding a seven made cut streak and he has finished inside the top-20 at five of these events. Notably, Kitayama finished T-5 at the John Deere Classic, T-9 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and last, but not least, he won the 3M Open in July.
During that victory, Kitayama shot a career-low 11-under 60 in the third round, which tied the course record at TPC Twin Cities. Overall, Kitayama has shot under par in 22 of his 26 rounds during this current cut streak and he ranks first in strokes gained per round when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds.
TPC Twin Cities notably features bentgrass greens and Kitayama will be competing on bentgrass putting surfaces again this week at Yokohama CC. When we analyze this field’s last 50 rounds at tracks with bentgrass greens, Kitayama ranks fourth in strokes gained per round. To put a cherry on top, the veteran ranks eighth in strokes gained per round when we compare this field’s histories at courses in Asia.
Max Homa for a top-20 finish including ties (+140)
After playing inconsistent golf for most of the season, Homa has regained his form this fall. Following his T-19 finish at the Procore Championship last month, Homa finished T-18 at the Sanderson Farms Championship last week. The 34-year-old gained strokes on approach and with his putter during both of these finishes and at the CC of Jackson last week, Homa posted an 8-under 64 in the third round, which was one stroke shy of being the tournament low and is his lowest score since May.
Ranking fifth in SG APP when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, Homa’s ball-striking has been excellent and Yokohama CC being home to bentgrass greens is outstanding news for the six-time PGA TOUR winner.
Four of Homa’s six PGA TOUR wins have come at venues with bentgrass putting surfaces and he ranks sixth in strokes gained per round when we analyze this field’s last 50 rounds with courses with this green type. Homa is in a prime position to succeed this week and he is a compelling bet for a top-20 finish at this +140 price.
