ClubProGuy: Don't Be A Bozo, Check Out The ZOZO

The portion of the PGA Tour season about which absolutely nobody cares rolls on, as defending champion Tiger Woods is back in action at this week’s ZOZO Championship at Sherwood CC.

Let’s start by admitting that none of us knows what a ZOZO is. I honestly don’t know if it’s a global accounting and consulting firm or a new transgender Disney character. Imagine paying millions of dollars to sponsor this event and nobody has a clue what your company even does. Is that money well spent? I have only six hours towards an associates degree, and even I can tell you the answer to that is no.

Tiger is the headliner here, but this event also marks the emotional return of Tony Finau after last week’s COVID-19 diagnosis. Courage, determination and pure guts have gotten the asymptomatic Finau back on the first tee after playing video games for the last 10 days. Someday, they might make a movie about it. I have a few working titles already: Tony’s Song? Saving Tony Finau? The Passion of the Finau?

The field this week is interesting to me. I question any tournament field that places Max Homa as an alternate. I can’t help but think the winner this week might be saddled with the dreaded asterisk.

Back to Tiger.  As the official “needle” of the PGA Tour, Tiger will defend last year's championship at a place he has dominated throughout his career. Will Tiger's game be sharp enough this week? The short answer is no. I expect him to play well at times, but he’s using this week as tune up for his defense at Augusta next month. We know Tiger likes to “peak” at the right time.

Speaking of Tiger and COVID, we just learned Tiger’s charity event, the Hero World Challenge, has been canceled due to travel restrictions. I guess it was just too hard to protect all 12 players on an island in the Bahamas for a week. So much for the world ranking points, million dollar paydays, and all night parties at Albany. COVID wins again.

After a 2-0 start toying with the over-50 crowd, it’s nice to see Phil Mickelson return to the PGA Tour. Phil is dominating the senior circuit but continues to miss cuts with the back tee guys. He reminds me of an aging porn star who can still pull off being in the naughty cheerleader subcategory every now and again but is probably better off making a full transition to the MILF category.  

Agreeing to partner up with Charles Barkley for “The Match III” is a sign that Phil has essentially made the transition to ceremonial golfer. This is a glorified net event. Barkley, Manning and Steph Curry playing a shamble? Thanks but no thanks. I’d rather give the ladies in our Garden Club a flop shot clinic than watch two basketball players and a former QB play golf.

My pick to click this week is Webb Simpson. He’s well rested, COVID-free and has a nice record at this venue. Then again, Webb could just as easily finish DFL. You guys realize there’s not a player in this field that can’t win, right?  It’s a crap shoot. Remind me why I keep betting on golf? This is impossible!