Many people in Japan will be glued to a television screen or their phone on Saturday morning. This includes Max Homa and Collin Morikawa.
The pair is competing in the 2024 Zozo Championship this week, but they are not the only Los Angeles Dodgers fans in Japan. This is largely due to Shohei Ohtani, the top player in baseball, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, an impressive pitcher.
As Game 1 of the World Series against the New York Yankees kicks off in California around the same time as the third round of the 2024 Zozo Championship starts across the Pacific Ocean, fans in Japan will also be keeping a close eye on Dodger Stadium.
“We have two remarkable Japanese players on the Dodgers, one of them being Ohtani, who I believe is the best baseball player ever,” Homa shared. “It’s really cool to be here. I’ve actually spotted quite a few L.A. hats. It’s special to be in Japan when the best baseball player in the world is Japanese and plays for the team I support. It’s like a dream come true.”
The time difference allows for morning baseball excitement in Japan, giving fans plenty of time to root for the Dodgers (or Yankees) before heading out to the golf course to support some of the top PGA Tour players.
“Watching the Dodgers play in Japan, in Tokyo, has been enjoyable. It was nice to have the games on TV. You wake up in the morning and there it is,” Morikawa mentioned. “They will probably be playing when we are out on the golf course, but we will definitely be checking in here and there.”
It wouldn’t be surprising to see fans updating the players while waiting on tee boxes or strolling down fairways. Even with a significant prize at stake, Homa proudly displays his Dodgers’ fandom.
“I’d be dishonest if I said I didn’t wish I could be home a little bit to attend a game, but it’s great to be here,” Homa expressed. “I hope to spot more L.A. hats. The run they’ve been on has been exciting to watch.”
