What does it take to prepare for the Zozo tournament in Japan? Adam Scott, golf champion and aficionado, joins us in this episode to share his insider knowledge and his game plan. From an in-depth discussion about his preferred golf putter to his well-curated strategy for the first and fourth holes, Adam pulls back the curtain on his approach to the game.
But that's not all. We also catch up with Xander Schauffele, another top-tier golfer. Xander takes us on a journey, from his exhilarating experience at the Tokyo Olympic Games to his aspirations for the ZOZO Championship. His candid revelation about the challenges of rewarding Ryder Cup players and his anticipation to return to Paris makes for a compelling listen.
Lastly, we have a fantastic reflection on the unmatched hospitality of our Japanese hosts. This episode is a mixed bag of insights, strategies, memories, and aspirations, all centered around the fascinating world of golf. So, come along for an engaging episode of PGA Tour Countdown where we discuss, reflect, and anticipate golfing magic.
What does it take to prepare for the Zozo tournament in Japan? Adam Scott, golf champion and aficionado, joins us in this episode to share his insider knowledge and his game plan. From an in-depth discussion about his preferred golf putter to his well-curated strategy for the first and fourth holes, Adam pulls back the curtain on his approach to the game.
But that's not all. We also catch up with Xander Schauffele, another top-tier golfer. Xander takes us on a journey, from his exhilarating experience at the Tokyo Olympic Games to his aspirations for the ZOZO Championship. His candid revelation about the challenges of rewarding Ryder Cup players and his anticipation to return to Paris makes for a compelling listen.
Lastly, we have a fantastic reflection on the unmatched hospitality of our Japanese hosts. This episode is a mixed bag of insights, strategies, memories, and aspirations, all centered around the fascinating world of golf. So, come along for an engaging episode of PGA Tour Countdown where we discuss, reflect, and anticipate golfing magic.
This is PGA Tour Countdown. Welcome everyone, frank Bassett, joining you for this edition of PGA Tour Countdown, featuring the tournament in Japan, the Zozo. We are all the way across the world For a golf tournament this week. It's going to be exciting, a lot of fun, and I just want to get you up to speed on a few of the things that some of the guys said in the media center prior to their rounds in regard to their game, the Zozo, the tournament Tiger winning it with one of the players that you'll hear from by his side, which was pretty incredible. So let's get right to it and hear from Ricky Fowler, xander Shafley and Adam Scott live from the Zozo.
Speaker 2:We'd like to welcome Adam Scott to the media center for the 2023 Zozo Championship. Adam, you're making your second start here at Accordionary Shino. Your first was in 2019. Can you just reflect back to that time and talk about your excitement to be back here in Japan? Go ahead, we'll go through it in English.
Speaker 3:Okay, yeah, I'm a regular visitor to Japan, but it's only the second time I've played Zozo. I generally play the Japan Open every year, which I did last week unsuccessfully, but in the end got me kind of ready to go this week for the Zozo. We have a great forecast in front of us and the course is looking fantastic, so I'm excited about the chance to play the PGA Tour event here this week in Japan.
Speaker 2:And you had a chance to play the course today. Can you just give some thoughts and impressions on the golf course?
Speaker 3:The course is in perfect condition and the greens are a little bit on the soft side, so I think guys will be able to attack this golf course while it stays like this. However, the penalty of missing around these greens is high, because the greens have a severe amount of slope and speed and your short game will be tested too much if you miss too many greens. So the guys who are playing well are going to shoot good scores and the rest are going to be left scrambling.
Speaker 2:If you don't mind, we want to ask you about two holes and your strategy on them number one and number four.
Speaker 3:Number one unless there's some crazy wind, I think it's just a three-wood off the tee. You really can't go down the left side and driver. You kind of need to favor more the left side. So I think it's just a three-wood and a short iron to the green. Number four again, I think you have to challenge that hole a little bit with a driver off the tee and take it across a little bit of the water. But of course then there's a bit of a risk. But it's such a long hole that getting the ball down there as far as possible is an advantage coming into the green.
Speaker 2:You mentioned, you're a frequent visitor of Japan. Can you talk about some of your favorite things about this country and maybe some memories of the fans when you played here in 2019?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think. Actually, really, as far as the golf goes, all the good memories I have is the big crowds that watch us play. That was certainly the case in 2019. It was no extra space at this golf course in 2019, and I'd say the Japanese golf fans are the most enthusiastic golf fans in the world. That makes it a really fun environment for us to play in, so hopefully we get something similar to that this week.
Speaker 2:A couple more questions and then we'll open it up to the media. It was announced this week that the 24-player roster has been rounded out for TGL. Can you talk about your involvement and excitement for that new venture?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think it's fitting in perfectly with kind of where everything is going in the world. This is another way to showcase the game and a game that is played differently by a lot of people. Now I know a lot of people, certainly in this region of the world, are spending a lot of time playing golf in a simulator, and this is a little more extreme version of a simulator, but should be a lot of fun, a chance to kind of showcase some of the top players in the world and maybe a bit more of their personality in a different environment on a Monday night.
Speaker 2:And then, lastly, for me, looking ahead to 2024, can you touch on some of your goals and objectives for the season?
Speaker 3:Yeah, 2024 is kind of a shortened season on the PGA Tour as it's now back to the calendar year, just running through August. I think that kind of suits me at this point in my career to have a shorter season. I've got lots of different goals, I guess, but really to sum that up, I want to get back in the Winner's Circle on tour. I feel like I still have the game to compete on tour and be a winner. So I'd like to kind of start here this week but let's keep that going in 24-2.
Speaker 2:Perfect, we'll go ahead and open to questions. If you have a question in Japanese, Amy's here to translate. Just raise your hand and we'll bring you a microphone Right over here.
Speaker 5:The question is about your pattern. I think you're using a lab golf like a home style, which Lucas Grover is using as well. So what do you like about this pattern?
Speaker 3:Yeah, there's a lot of technology that goes into this pattern. It's a special way of balancing the pattern that only lab golf can do And… as we look around for the best equipment to use, I managed to be introduced to Lab and then they also were very receptive to helping me putt with a long putter as well. Not so many companies are working with the long putter, so Lab's been really supportive and I think the technology is fantastic. I've had a lot of success in putting well with the lab putter and, of course, lucas Glover was very successful since switching to it also.
Speaker 5:First of all, the point is that we are using the most technology, especially the balance. I use the long putter, but not many companies or manufacturers are introducing it, so I think it's the best putter for me. I think the technology is fantastic. Of course, Lucas Glover has been working on it and I'm using it because I'm a good person.
Speaker 4:I have two more questions about the long putter. When and when do you use it? I saw you were struggling in the green zone last week, but how is the touch this week?
Speaker 3:I've been using this putter for about 18 months and I don't think I struggled too much. On the green last week the condition was not quite what the same as here, so I don't think anyone was making quite as many parts, but it was feeling okay. I feel good. I think putting is probably the best part of my game.
Speaker 5:I think putting and feeling this week is a great feeling, so I don't think there's a problem.
Speaker 7:I wanted to ask you about a pretty unique feature of this course the double greens. Does that change preparation? Does it change how you play your practice rounds? Does anything change with having two greens to work with instead of one?
Speaker 3:I think we're only playing one hole that uses the two greens, so it's not that big of a deal. We just have to learn a couple of greens on that hole. But it doesn't change preparation much at all then.
Speaker 2:We'll let you go. Thanks for your time, good luck this week, thank you, Hello friends, what is Hello Fresh?
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Speaker 8:Good afternoon everyone. We would like to welcome Xander Shofflin, the Zoso Championship Media Center. Xander, your fifth time here in Japan for the Zoso Championship. You're just off coming off the program. Just start off by telling us how was the golf course playing this?
Speaker 9:week yeah, I got one very happy to be back here in Japan, and Sunday morning, I believe, that storm came through and it ran about two inches. The greens are a bit soft but the sun is drying them out quickly and the course is in great condition.
Speaker 8:Okay, and two top 10s here at the Zoso Championship. What is it about this golf course here that you really like and fits to your eye?
Speaker 9:Yeah, I think it's really fair. There's four to six really hard holes on property and the rest of the holes you can kind of manage and make some birdies. But if you can sort of manage and par those really hard holes you can give yourself a pretty good look at winning.
Speaker 8:Okay, and a couple of weeks now that you've been off since the Ryder Cup, how's the game feeling coming into the week?
Speaker 9:here. Yeah, I played okay at the Ryder Cup not great and then I stayed in Italy for about five more nights, so I had a quick turnaround in Vegas and Nevada before I came here, but the game's feeling pretty good.
Speaker 8:Okay, we have a translator here in Japanese media. If you have any questions, we'll be able to translate for you. Put up your hand. If you want to ask questions, we'll open up the questions now At the back there, please.
Speaker 5:So, first of all, welcome back to Japan, and I'm a reporter from GDO, so I think your result has been really stable this season. So what kind of things are you like aware of in your game? Yeah, we try to have a very solid all-around game, and I think that helps with consistency, week in, week out.
Speaker 9:Of course, winning is a very important thing and sort of how our careers are judged, and I wasn't able to win, but the season isn't over yet. First of all, this season, every week, every week, we're able to win a very stable golf.
Speaker 5:So I think that's the key to the game and, of course, winning is the key to the game, but this season we're not able to win Good to end of. Now that a couple of weeks have passed since the Raider Cup, when you look back in it, how do you feel about it?
Speaker 8:about the tournament we lost. We didn't.
Speaker 9:We were able to make it somewhat interesting on Sunday, which was pretty cool feeling it felt like the tournament slipped away really early on and I think that's the key to the game, so we're able to make it feel like we weren't coming from behind the whole time. But it was my first time playing Raider Cup abroad and the fans were great and I had a lot of fun, despite the losing. Are there back there, please for Matt? I just wanted to ask you what are your motivations for playing?
Speaker 8:in the fall, and what are you?
Speaker 7:hoping to achieve by being here. With the new FedEx Cup setup, it's coming to Japan. It's pretty simple for me.
Speaker 9:I have family here and to be able to sort of split the workload and seeing my grandparents is really cool and I wouldn't pass that up for anything. Of course I'm still chasing a win this season and I only have a few opportunities left to get that done, but for the most part it's been nice to see my grandparents on Sunday, when I came in and spent some time with them Monday morning and then back to work. I'm sure I'll see them again as the week goes on. Go to Wade.
Speaker 6:Hi Steven Wade from Associated Press. Your father suggested that Raider Cup players be paid. Many people think that's probably a fair suggestion. What are the obstacles to having that happen and what do you think the resistance is to it from the public in general? In other words, you guys get paid for everything else, why not this?
Speaker 9:If you look at what he said, I wasn't super fired up that he was speaking to media just because I know how things get twisted and I had to look back at what he said specifically. And he specifically said that if the tournament is for profit, then the player should get paid. And he also said that if it's charitable, it should be a charitable event, most likely, and that everything should get donated. I don't know, when I look back on what he said, I think the headline sort of skewed obviously what he was trying to say, but I don't think he ever really spoke directly to what you're referring to in terms of players getting paid. He just said it should be either or Not. Really as confusing as it is.
Speaker 8:Xander, obviously coming back to Japan, you won the Tokyo Olympic Games gold medal here. Do you reflect on that win often?
Speaker 9:Yeah, I mean being back in Tokyo is special for me and obviously adding the Olympics experience plus the gold medal makes it even more special. But yeah, I mean I just have good vibes and good feels and that definitely added to that.
Speaker 8:Where does that rank in your career?
Speaker 9:there. It kind of gets better as time goes on, and I can hear people in Japanese saying oh, there's a gold medalist as I walk by, so that's pretty cool.
Speaker 8:And, with that being part, french as well. How excited are you about the opportunity to go back to Paris?
Speaker 9:Yeah, it's very exciting. First things first. You don't get to sign up for the Olympics, you have to qualify and, as everyone knows, it's extremely hard to qualify, and that US team is extremely hard to make as well. So I'm just trying to keep my head down and not look too far ahead to Paris. Just need to qualify first.
Speaker 8:Do you have any questions from media? Before I close with one last one To Xander Xander I just found out that your professional debut was actually in Yamanashi in Japan in 2015. What do you remember from that first tournament then, and how much have you grown since, in the last eight years?
Speaker 9:Yeah, I shot a pair of 76s or 77s, missed the cut by a landslide. I remember it was more of a traditional Japanese course in Yamanashi. It was OB stakes going down both sides of the fairway which was very intimidating being a young pro. It would be intimidating now as a so called veteran. But I definitely was a bit aggressive and I remember hitting a lot of balls OB and just struggling to get my feet grounded, playing in my first pro start. But I think it's pretty cool that I was able to play here as my first career professional start.
Speaker 8:And with the only success here that you had a couple years back. I guess, with winning here, winning the Zodal championship would be the cherry on the cake, isn't it?
Speaker 9:Yeah, it would be awesome for several reasons. But first things first. Just one day at a time for me Sounds good.
Speaker 8:Okay, zander, thanks very much for your time and all the best this week. Thank, you.
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Speaker 11:We will go ahead and get started here with Ricky Fowler at the Zozo Championship, here in the media center. Ricky, fourth appearance at this event and third in Japan. How special is it for you to be back in this country. I know it's a place you're pretty fond of.
Speaker 12:Yeah, I love being able to come back to Japan and have really enjoyed the last few years being here. Last few years on the golf course have been a little tough for me, so very appreciative of Zozo and Travis, the tournament director, to extend those invites to where I've been able to come over. Luckily I didn't need one this year, but still, like I said, I love to be here. I love the Japanese culture. The fans are amazing here. Being able to go out to dinner, whether it's just in Narita or down into Tokyo, is great. So, yeah, myself, it's nice to have my wife here with me this year, but my trainer and Caddy, who've been here with me the last couple of years years, yeah, we just have a lot of fun both on the golf course and being able to go out and enjoy Japan.
Speaker 11:Just speaking to last year, finishing tide per second. Do you show up this week with a little more added motivation? You know trying to, you know get rid of some unfinished business, I guess, from last year and getting the job done this time around?
Speaker 12:Yeah, it's great to have a good finish last year. That was one that kind of helped me build some confidence and momentum going into what was a little bit of an offseason and really helped propel me to play some good golf this year. So coming off of that, obviously know that I can play well here and looking forward to continue that and hopefully do one better than last year.
Speaker 11:Yeah, and I was just going to say right, the impact of last year and getting back in the winter circle and everything that came with. You know the regular season, making it back to Eastlake. I guess how, when you compare, you know the player you were coming into last year and this year. How would you describe the difference, if any?
Speaker 12:Well, I mean now I have a lot more self-belief and confidence and momentum coming into or at the end of last year August. You know it had been about two, three years of tough times on the golf course. So to have some good finishes, one at Napa and then here at Zozo, those were two big weeks for me to kind of hit the reset or restart. And so those were. Zozo was a big part of why I had success.
Speaker 11:This year and then just getting off the program today, just thoughts on the golf course and how everything is shaping up this week here.
Speaker 12:Golf course is always in great shape. Greens are a little bit soft right now, so hopefully those can confirm out through the week, but no, this seems like it's going to be the kind of warmest and driest tournament we've had in a few years, so I'm looking forward to it. But yeah, I think you know part of Japanese culture is attention to detail, and that's one thing you can see with the golf course. Yeah, it's in great shape. Like I said, greens are a little bit soft, but hopefully those will continue to firm up with the dry weather and, yeah, it'll be an amazing week.
Speaker 11:Just two more quick ones then we can open up for any questions. Playing with Hideki, the first two rounds this week what are your expectations in terms of what that environment is going to be like come Thursday?
Speaker 12:Yeah, I mean, I feel like I have a great following here in Japan and usually have a handful of fans that are out there supporting me, but it's going to be a completely different level playing with Hideki. Hideki is a rock star over here and I'm looking forward to it. He's someone I admire as a person, as a player, enjoy being around him as well as his caddy, so it'll be an exciting atmosphere for sure for both myself and Keegan to see the show of Hideki in Japan and then just a little off topic, but moving forward to 2024 and looking ahead, something that you and Hideki have both done before competing in the Olympics, is that something that's on your mind?
Speaker 11:trying to get to Paris after having competed at Rio, I guess what would that mean? To get to Paris and represent the US again?
Speaker 12:Yeah, for me I would say the Olympics would be similar to what my goal of the Ryder Cup was last year. You know, the Ryder Cup was kind of the ultimate goal because I probably needed to check off a few other goals to make that happen and was not, as you could see, it wasn't out of reach but it was pretty far from where I was. So I have a lot of work to do to make the Olympic team. But if I were to do that I would have accomplished a lot of things that I want to and there would be a lot of good golf. So I would love to be able to represent the US again in the Olympics. But we'll see if we can take care of other things to make that happen.
Speaker 11:Perfect, we'll take any questions, if there are any, and then again we do have translation available for any questions in Japanese. Yeah, let's go right here, and so we're going to be back in a.
Speaker 4:I'd like to ask you about the driver. I'm using a cobbler aerojet and an AS driver. I'd like to ask you about the difference between the fact that the driver's face is yellow and the sound of the distance.
Speaker 13:Okay, so three questions how far do you hit your driver's shot average? He's asking about your driver. And second question how does your driver fit in your eyes when you set up Like shape-wise? And then third question is what kind of element are you looking for in your drivers?
Speaker 12:My, I would say, for driver, a lot of what we numbers, we work off, is how far we can carry the ball. Three hundreds about my. Three hundred yards is about my, I guess, average if a bunker is. If to carry a bunker is two hundred ninety yards, I know if I hit a good one I can carry it. If it's three hundred to carry, I have to hit a really good one. So somewhere right around there, driver shape for me, my driver's fairly, I would say traditional or a simple shape, which is something I prefer. I don't want. I want it to just look pretty basic or simple when I look down at it. And then for a driver, what I look for, I love when they go long and straight oh there's. I think for the most part everyone makes a really good driver these days. Cobra's done an amazing job and I love the equipment that I play, but yeah, I would say a lot of times the long and straight part comes down to the operator, not the club.
Speaker 13:Okay, q&a. I like the simple driver. Last question I like the fact that I can fly straight and fly straight. I think there are many drivers now. I want to use the driver that is straight and far away.
Speaker 4:When I practice. I want to hear about the high and low balls, middle and low balls and the draw and fade Maybe you can use the ball of the 9 types. I want to hear about the operation. I want to hear about the important part of the ball.
Speaker 12:I like to swing a lot.
Speaker 13:I can swing a lot if I can.
Speaker 7:Thank you. How much motivation is what happened at the Ryder Cup coming in this tournament?
Speaker 12:It is motivation that all of us needed to play a bit better. We had a few guys that did play well that week, but not enough. It seemed like all 12 of the European guys stepped up and played some darn good golf. Coming off of that, it was unfortunate we had myself and a couple of other guys that weren't feeling very well. I'm happy to be in a healthy spot and excited to play some better golf than I did in Rome. There are always really fun weeks, special weeks to be a part of. They just happen to be a lot more fun when you are on the winning side. Unfortunately, there has been very few of those for the past 30 years, especially when you talk about overseas.
Speaker 6:Just to follow up on Ryder Cup how do you put it behind your little hangover? How do you erase it and just look forward?
Speaker 12:I don't think you ever really erase it. Like I mentioned, there are still amazing weeks Just not fun being on the wrong side of it. There are winter lose. There are still some of the best weeks of your career being on those teams with some of the best players in the world, especially from your country. Just to be able to be in that situation, there are a lot of goals and accomplishments that you have to achieve to be there. We like to put the losing memories behind us, but the memories we have with teammates and captains and the overall week. It's still fun to look back on the golf part of it, Try and learn from mistakes or not playing so well. I've had a great year up until that point and there are a lot of things that I can look back on, to pick back up where we were and play some good golf for the few events I have this fall and going into next year.
Speaker 7:Ricky, you've had a bit of time off since the Ryder Cup, just wondering what you've been up to and how you're feeling about the game coming into this week.
Speaker 12:It hasn't been a whole lot of time. It feels like it was about a week and a half. It goes by quickly. I spent some time with our little ones since she wasn't in Rome with us and she's not here Some dad time, fished a little bit and played golf even when I'm not on the road or traveling to play golf. Golf is our job and what I love to do. That takes up a decent amount of our time, even when we're home on and off week.
Speaker 11:Alright guys. Ricky, thanks again for the time. Best of luck this week, Thank you.
Speaker 1:So there you have it. We've heard from some of the players that play as underway at the Zozo and we're going to have a fun tournament. It's always a great time for the guys. They love it over there. The hospitality in Japan at this tournament is absolutely incredible, I can tell you firsthand. So four the PGHUR Countdown staff and crew and my producer and me. Thanks for listening to PGHUR Countdown and we will see you next week.