Golf Betting Tips, Predictions & Odds: Baycurrent Classic
The PGA Tour heads to Japan this week for the Baycurrent Classic, where Nico Echavarria is the defending champion having pipped Justin Thomas to the title in 2024.
Xander Shacuffele is the pre-tournament favourite with sports betting sites, but the tournament represents a bit of an unknown with it only being the seventh year on tour.
Free Bets golf expert Ben Smith takes a look at his golf betting tips for the week of golf in Yokohama.
Baycurrent Classic Betting Tips
The Baycurrent Classic, formerly named the ZOZO Championship, heads to a new home this year as Yokohama Country Club takes over hosting duties after five editions at Narashino.
Opened in 1960 and revamped by the renowned Coore & Crenshaw design team in 2016, the West Course provides the stage, with 16 of its holes in play alongside two from the East.
Measuring 7,315 yards as a par 71, the layout features wide fairways, bold bunkering and slick bentgrass greens that demand precision. With just 78 players in the field, no cut, and changeable weather expected, an intriguing test of skill and strategy awaits.
Tip 1: Winner - Christiaan Bezuidenhout (Each-Way) (6 places)
Christiaan Bezuidenhout landed a share of a place for us at the Sanderson Farms and is worth sticking with as he seeks his first PGA Tour triumph.
He putted superbly again last week. That’s often a warning sign of potential regression for most players, but Bezuidenhout ranks 11th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting this season, so it looks sustainable in this instance.
More likely is an uptick in his iron play after an uncharacteristically average week on approach, an area that has generally been a reliable strength.
Yokohama Country Club will reward accuracy above all. Despite the generous fairways, misses are costly, and Bezuidenhout ranks inside the PGA Tour’s top 30 for driving accuracy. That profile gives him a strong chance of going close again here.
Tip 2: Winner - Emiliano Grillo (Each-Way) (6 places)
When accuracy and control are at a premium, Grillo is the type of player you want onside. He missed the cut at the Sanderson Farms after a cold week with the putter, but history suggests that’s unlikely to repeat, as he hasn’t endured back-to-back poor putting performances since March.
His long game remains solid, ranking inside the top 40 in approach play this season, and with his once-shaky putter now a relative strength, there’s every reason to expect a rebound. Add in his proven ability to find fairways and contend on demanding layouts, and Grillo looks primed to bounce back in Yokohama.
Tip 3: Winner - Takumi Kanaya (Each-Way) (6 places)
Takumi Kanaya is a home player worth having on side this week. He produced a T21 at the Sanderson Farms and has shown encouraging signs with his ball striking in recent starts.
Driving has been a particular strength, while his ability to work the ball both ways adds another layer to his approach play. Those qualities should be valuable at Yokohama Country Club, where positioning into the greens is key.
With local knowledge also in his favour, Kanaya has the tools to make an impact at a track where smart course management will be decisive.
Tip 3: Winner - Kevin Roy (Each-Way) (6 places)
Kevin Roy gained strokes through the bag at Country Club of Jackson last week, rediscovering the form he showed in June and July, where he recorded a T8 at the Rocket Classic and a T3 at the John Deere Classic in the following tournament.
Currently in position 79 in the FedEx Cup Fall Standings, Roy must stay focused in order to keep his place in the top 100 and earn his PGA Tour Card for next season. He will also have an eye on the top 60, though, which would get him into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.
Baycurrent Classic Latest Odds
Where to Watch the Baycurrent Classic
If you're looking to watch the action alongside getting involved with the golf betting this week, then here's how you can see the action live from Yokohama.
TV Channel
Live coverage of the Baycurrent Classic from Japan will be live on Sky Sports Golf from 4am on Thursday 9 October.
Live Stream Information
Current Sky subscribers can watch the action on the Sky Go service, provided they have a Sky Sports package that includes the necessary channels.
Alternatively, if you're looking to watch without Sky Sports, NowTV offers daily and monthly options to stream the action live.
Finally, for daily betting tips on the golf and many other sports, make sure you stick with the expert team at Freebets, who will always try to steer you in the right direction!
