Thousand Oaks, California: The title sponsor of Zozo Championship @Sherwood are committed to bringing back the popular event home next year. They hope the staging of the tournament in a Covid-hit 2019 will bring renewed excitement to global golf fans even as they eye a return to Japan in 2021.
While also looking to spread its wings abroad, Zozo Inc. is excited to be showcasing its brand to an international audience with the US$8 million event taking centre stage at the Sherwood Country Club, a venue where defending champion Tiger Woods has notched five wins and five runners-up at his World Challenge.
After a successful staging in 2019, it moved to California in 2020 as the world grappled with a pandemic. The 2020 event, which Woods returning to defend the title, which was ultimately won by Patrick Cantlay with a superb performance.
Ms. Megu Hatakeyama, Marketing Director of ZOZO Inc. further discloses she is optimistic domestic fans will get to enjoy the event once again as the third edition of the Zozo Championship is expected to return to Japan in 2021.
“We are definitely hoping to host the event in Japan again next year if the situation allows us to do that. In fact, we were preparing for the event to be staged in Japan this year but obviously nobody could have foreseen what would happen in a month, few months or six months ahead.
“We were then presented with several venue choices but ultimately decided to bring the experience of the Zozo Championship to the United States, keeping the safety of players and officials as our top priority,” said Hatakeyama.
As the tournament continues to raise its stature globally, Hatakeyama is pleased their concept of combing golf and fashion through the staging of the tournament is also beginning to gain popularity.
“With the Zozo Championship being held in the United States this year, we now have the opportunity to let investors know more about Zozo Inc. In fact, ZOZO has collaborated with several overseas brands to manufacture some products for this event.
The Zozo Championship was the first official PGA TOUR event to be staged in Japan last year. It was a resounding success when Woods pipped home favourite Hideki Matsuyama to win his 82nd career PGA Tour victory by three shots, tying Sam Snead for the record.
