Let us travel back in time to 2023 for a bit. It was the final day of the Zozo Championship. Collin Morikawa managed to cement his position at the top and clinch the victory after a remarkable four days of play. The 7-under 63 he carded on the last day was especially scintillating. And now, coming back to 2024, he would be hoping to replicate the same and defend his title of champion. Fortunately, he may rest a bit easy knowing that some top golfers are not in the field this time around.

A total of 78 golfers are set to tee it off at Accordia Golf in Chiba, Japan, on October 24, as per the official field set by the PGA Tour. Many of the athletes have been exempted owing to them being part of the 2024 FedEx Cup points list top 60, Japan Golf Tour, and sponsor exemptions, among others. Even so, the Zozo Championship would still feel the absence of many of the big names on the PGA Tour.

A Scottie Scheffler-less field at the 2024 Zozo Championship

1. Scottie Scheffler: This was expected, to be honest. Especially since the golfer had divulged his plans for the rest of the year back at the 2024 Travelers Championship after his victory. “I’m playing The Open, the Olympics, and then the last three playoff events,” the current world No. 1 had said back then, “I think I should be on the Presidents Cup team and then I’ll take a break.” And boy, did the golfer remain true to his words. For he hasn’t teed off in any of the PGA Tour events after helping his team clinch the victory at the 2024 Presidents Cup. Needless to say, he won’t be seen in Japan either.

2. Rory McIlroy: Ever since he finished 12th on the FedEx Cup finale, the 2024 TOUR Championship, the Northern Irishman hasn’t been seen on the Jay Monahan-led circuit. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t taken the clubs at all. For the 35-year-old was spotted on the DP World Tour all the while clinching two runner-up finishes and a T25, at the Amgen Irish Open, The BMW PGA Championship, and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, respectively. Would have been quite a competition had he been in the field, don’t you agree?!

3. Patrick Cantlay: Remember the 2020 edition of the Zozo Championship? Well, the then-29-year-old was the one who clinched the title of Champion by beating the likes of Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas by 1 stroke. Interestingly, the Spaniard is currently in LIV Golf and Thomas is set to tee off at the 2024 Zozo Championship on October 24. Only the now-32-year-old Cantlay is the one missing. And has been so since the 2024 Presidents Cup after helping his team claim the trophy at the biennial tournament.

4. Ludvig Aberg: He didn’t have the best of seasons in 2024, but that doesn’t make him one of the best golfers out there on the men’s circuit. Over the year, he could only rake in three T3 finishes out of the 8 top-10 placements on Tour. Yes, you read that right, for he was without a win the whole year. But there seems to be a reason for that. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old Swede, back in May, injured his left knee. And owing to the same, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his left leg.

“The surgery on my torn medial meniscus went well last week,” said the golfer back in September. “Couple weeks of rehab and rest ahead. Looking forward to be playing soon.” He had divulged the same in an Instagram post which showcased the athlete sitting at an outdoor table in New York City while sporting a compression sleeve over his left knee (Feeling a bit of Tiger Woods’s vibe, maybe?!). Anyhow, the young pro would be hoping to make a full recovery and thus, wouldn’t be teeing off at the 2024 Zozo Championship.

5. Wyndham Clark: 8 top-10 finishes including one victory, two runner-up placements, and a T3. Even after boasting such an impressive run at the regular season, he teed off at the Procore Championship. The reason? Well, when it comes to the former event, he had decided to participate to prepare better for the Presidents Cup.

“I took too much time off and wasn’t quite prepared for the Ryder Cup, and this year I wanted to make sure I don’t do that,” said Clark as he alluded to the 2023 edition of the biennial tournament. “There’s no preparation better than playing against the best players. I think this is the best prep you can have.” And with a win at the 2024 Presidents Cup, the golfer seems to have decided to take a break. Nobody would blame him, would they?! Especially after helping his team claim another win at the prestigious event!

Now, these are but some of the top names who will be missing the upcoming event in Japan. But that isn’t to say that it wouldn’t be an exciting tournament. Because many talented athletes including Morikawa, and Xander Schauffele, among others will be hoping to clinch the win!