It’s a historic week on the PGA TOUR. Japan has a long and celebrated history in the game, but this is the first time that an official TOUR event will be held in this country. This new event also marks the season debut for the reigning FedExCup champion, Rory McIlroy, as well as Tiger Woods, who’s making his first start since arthroscopic knee surgery and his final start before making his four captain’s picks for the Presidents Cup. There’s a lot on the line for the 78-man field in Japan, which features 20 players who competed in the 2019 TOUR Championship. RELATED: Tee times | How to Watch |  Power Rankings THE FLYOVER All 18 holes at this week’s venue have two greens, a common practice in Japan. The long, par-4 fourth will be the only hole that uses both greens this week, though. A water hazard runs down the left side of the fairway. The left “Aâ€� green adds an additional 20 yards to the hole and has out-of-bounds long. The right “Bâ€� green is heavily guarded by water and two bunkers. The greens will never be simultaneously in play, but will be used in alternating rounds. WEATHER CHECK Clouds will be on the increase Thursday, but it should remain dry before Typhoon Bualoi combines with a low–pressure system moving across Japan to produce heavy rainfall and gusty winds on Friday. Up to 4 inches of rain is possible. Drier weather will return Saturday before another system brings the chance for showers on Sunday. SOUND CHECK They’re very enthusiastic. The people here seem so excited to have a PGA TOUR event here. BY THE NUMBERS 10.1 – The winning percentage of FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy. It’s the second-highest on TOUR since 1983, trailing only Tiger Woods (22.4%). 2 – Number of wins Woods has in Japan, the 2004 and 2005 Dunlop Phoenix Tournaments. 9 – Number of Japanese players in the field: Matsuyama, Imahira, Ryo Ishikawa, Satoshi Kodaira, Yosuke Asaji, Mikumu Horikawa, Rikuya Hoshino, Jinichiro Kozuma and Tomoharu Otsuki. SCATTERSHOTS Long and short: This week’s course offers a variety of holes that will test every aspect of players’ games. Ball-striking will be especially important on the tight, tree-lined course. “There’s quite a few wedges into par 4s but then there’s a couple holes today that I hit a 4- and a 5‑iron into them,â€� said McIlroy. “There’s a stretch on the back nine which is pretty tough as well.  But it’s a great course. It’s in great condition, the greens are so pure, and it sort of reminds me a little bit of the course we play in Mexico, Chapultepec. Reminds me a little bit of that, just sort of the tree lined and sort of the doglegs and having to sort of cut off corners and stuff. I like it.â€� Always improving: Justin Thomas has won twice in his last four starts, but he said Wednesday there’s still room for improvement. “I just think I can always improve and I think that’s what’s so fun about this game,â€� he said. “I’m not searching to become perfect because I know that that’s not possible, but I am a perfectionist, so it kind of contradicts itself. I just feel like if I can just improve everything just a little bit, you know. I’m always working to get a little bit better on my putting. I know that my chipping and my pitching can get a lot better. My iron play is really good, but I feel like I can kind of hone that in and get, you know, some little things fixed up. And driving and 3‑wood.  It’s always just trying to get it a little bit better to where those bad days are just even better because I think that’s what separates the best players in the world.â€�

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Xander Schauffele wants to be the hunted rather than the hunter. The 25-year-old has already won four times on the PGA TOUR, including a World Golf Championships event and a TOUR Championship, but something about those wins has left a void he wants to fill. Schauffele is undoubtedly proud of his efforts but he came from behind in all four triumphs, something he says brings less pressure and therefore keeps him out of the most elite company on the PGA TOUR. Finishing third, 15th and second in the FedExCup over his first three seasons is incredible, but Schauffele has higher aspirations. His lone 54-hole lead came at the 2018 Open Championship where he sat tied with Jordan Spieth and Kevin Kisner, but he shot 3 over on Sunday to settle for a runner-up finish behind Francesco Molinari. So he starts his 2019-20 season at this week’s ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan with a specific goal: get more 54-hole leads, and convert them. “If I just would be in contention more, that would be awesome … The way I look at it and the way my team looks at it, I haven’t really done a whole lot,â€� Schauffele said. “It’s a little bit harsh, but it’s just sort of how I’m judged at certain times by either my dad or people on my team that give me advice, and it’s true at times. “In order for me to become more of an elite player and more of an established name I think it would be important for me to sort of play to what I know I can do at certain times versus trying to be the come‑from‑behind kid.â€� Schauffele’s first win at the 2017 Military Tribute at the Greenbrier came from three back at the 54-hole mark. Later that season he erased a two-shot deficit on Sunday to win the TOUR Championship. Last season he made up three shots at the World Golf Championships–HSBC Champions in China on the way to victory and was a distant five shots back before storming home to win the Sentry Tournament of Champions. “I don’t mind coming from behind, it’s plenty easy and more comfortable than trying to sleep on what I would imagine to be a 54‑hole lead,â€� he says. “Look at all these other players. JT (Justin Thomas) has already won 11 times. He’s a bit of an exception, too. He’s an incredible player. There’s a bunch of other guys, though, who have had 54‑hole leads who have closed them.â€� If the 2017 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year is to get a quick start on his goal it might be in part due to some huge family support at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club this week. Schauffele estimates he’s been to Japan 10 to 12 times as his mother’s family resides in the country where she grew up from the age of 2. A huge contingent is expected to flock to the course to watch, and word is they may even have special shirts and hats for the occasion. “I’ve maxed out tickets but I’m still asking for tickets from everyone else, from other players, if they have any extra,â€� he confirms. “It’s just really cool. I haven’t been able to play in front of my mom’s family at all. It’s kind of special for me and my family. I’m assuming 30 to 40 maybe. I have a bunch of cousins, uncles, you name it.â€�

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