Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Rickie Fowler are putting their recent Ryder Cup loss behind them as they prepare to compete in the Zozo Championship in Japan. The Americans are hoping to have a fresh start and perform well in this individual golf tournament.
The Ryder Cup, held in Italy three weeks ago, ended in a lopsided victory for Team Europe. Morikawa and Schauffele managed to earn a point each from their matches, while Fowler struggled and lost both of his matches. However, the players are determined to move on and not let the disappointment affect their performance in the Zozo Championship.
Speaking to the media, Morikawa emphasized that the Ryder Cup was a team event and individual tournaments like the Zozo Championship should be treated differently. He stated that there was no lingering anger from the loss at the Ryder Cup and that they were focused on playing their best in Japan.
On the other hand, Fowler acknowledged that the memories of the Ryder Cup would always remain with the players. While they may want to put the losing memories behind them, the overall experience and camaraderie with teammates and captains were still something to cherish and look back on.
Schauffele, who described his performance at the Ryder Cup as “decent but not great,” addressed comments made by his father, Stefan, during the event. His father had suggested that players should be compensated for participating in tournaments. Schauffele clarified that his father’s remarks were primarily about for-profit tournaments and the importance of charitable contributions in golf events.
The Zozo Championship, held at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on the outskirts of Tokyo, is a 78-player, no-cut tournament. Last year, Keegan Bradley claimed victory in this tournament, marking his first title in four years on the PGA Tour. He also won the Travelers Championship four months ago, showing his potential to excel in this event.
As the Zozo Championship commences, Schauffele, Morikawa, and Fowler are eager to showcase their golfing skills and put on a strong performance. With the Ryder Cup behind them, they have their sights set on individual success in Japan.