The Baycurrent Classic is set to tee off from October 9-12 at the Yokohama Country Club in Japan. Being one of the last five PGA Tour events left this year, the stakes are high, with a prize purse of $8 million. Naturally, the betting season is on, too. However, having a field stacked with star-studded players, the decision doesn’t look straightforward. To deal with the odds, simulators can be a great asset. The SportsLine simulator, one of the most successful models ever built, ran 10,000 simulations. Here’s the result with the top 5 contenders at the Baycurrent Classic.

#1: Xander Schauffele

Topping the odds boards, Schauffele is the fan favorite in the field. Ranked 4th in the OWGR, the American golfer has maintained a strong, consistent presence on the greens. Despite a winless season, he has displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the year. The 31-year-old faced a near-miss, finishing runner-up at the Players Championship. However, it would be quite right to declare it as one of his best years. With limited top-10 finishes and no titles in 2025, Schauffele has experienced a steep downfall. Standing 12th in the TOUR rankings, Schauffele fell to 131st this year.

However, the PGA tour pro rebounded with back-to-back top-10 finishes at the Genesis Scottish Open and the British Open. That was followed by another set of heartbreaks with T22 and T28 finishes in the FedExCup Playoffs. Despite a challenging 2025 season, Xander Schauffele remains a strong contender at the Baycurrent Classic, courtesy of his consistent all-around game. The golfer parades an average driving distance of 312.8, with a driving accuracy of 53.83%. Although not a flashy statement, his steady, reliable presence makes him a top pick among both odds and expert projections.

#2: Collin Morikawa

As a past winner of the Baycurrent Classic in 2023, Morikawa is one of the top contenders in the field. Moreover, his exceptional ball-striking and iron-play make him a winning pick, showcasing his consistency and technical mastery. His precise iron play is well-suited to the course’s layout, which rewards accuracy over distance. That was evident in his 14-under 266 win in 2023. However, his performance dipped in 2024, with a 3-under T54 finish.

In 2025, Morikawa showed brilliant performance metrics. He ranks 14th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee with an average of +0.56, boasting his strong driving skills. His average driving distance is 297.6 yards, placing him 144th on the tour, which reflects his emphasis on control over power. Notably, he ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green, underscoring his precision with irons. This precision and technical composure have translated into 2 runner-up finishes at the Sentry and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. However, the rest of his season has been quite underwhelming. This makes the simulation’s results a bit surprising. The point to note is, this is the same simulator that nailed four Masters in a row, including the 2025 Masters.

Moreover, despite the underwhelming results, Morikawa has maintained a strong presence, with his emphasis on technique over brute force, exactly what the course rewards.

#3: Hideki Matsuyama

The Japanese golfer’s home advantage makes him one of the most compelling bets at the Baycurrent Classic. With his strong historical record at the event, Matsuyama is buckling up for a heated showdown. His past performances make an even stronger case for him, including his runner-up in 2020 and his win in 2022.

Moreover, the Japanese golfer secured his 11th PGA Tour title this year, showcasing his ability to deliver in the major stages. That victory came at The Sentry earlier this year, snatching the title from the closely prying Morikawa. However, it wasn’t just any win; it marked the event’s low record at under-35, beating Cameron Smith’s under-34. This reflects Matsuyama’s incredible shot-shaping and distance off the tee, at 300 yards on average. Given his recent form and historical success at this tournament, Matsuyama stands out as a top contender for the 2025 Baycurrent Classic.

#4: Kurt Kitayama

Entering the Baycurrent Classic, Kurt Kitayama stands as a talented yet somewhat unpredictable contender. With his strong iron play and versatile short game, Kitayama has the techniques to get to the top. However, his inconsistency off the tee has been a recurring issue, making him a wobbly ship to sail on. Whether he decides to bring his A-game to the event or struggle last-minute depends. Moreover, in this season, he ranks 123rd in driving accuracy and 141st in strokes gained: putting. This can hint at his volatile form, with sparks of brilliance very once in a while. His T5 at the CJ Byron Nelson Cup showcases his fits of acumen.

However, recently his form has seen an upward trend when compared to the beginning of this year. With a T5 at the John Deere Classic followed by a T14 at the Barracuda Championship, Kitayama has made a resilient comeback in contrast to his 30s and 40s leaderboard finishes. Moreover, Kitayama recently secured a victory at the 3M Open at 23-under, highlighting his ability to translate shots into titles. However, bettors and analysts see this inconsistency as a risk factor despite his abilities. But the simulators seem to be favoring the Japanese in their home field at the Baycurrent Classic.

#5: Min Woo Lee

Yes, Lee is not the safest bet as per the simulations. However, his strong performance, blending power and accuracy, has made him one of the most compelling long shots. In fact, Lee can turn out to be a huge potential payout if he continues his strong run at the Baycurrent Classic, too. Moreover, the course suits his powerful style of play, while rewarding his technical finesse and short-game prowess.

At 7,315 yards, Yokohama Country Club presents a layout that rewards both distance and precision. Ranking 15th on the PGA Tour in driving distance, the Australian golfer averages 315 yards off the tee. With a solid 0.346 mark, Lee ranks 13th on the strokes gained: around-the-green. Moreover, his putting game has improved a lot, too, with a 0.161 strokes gained: putting average, placing him 53rd on Tour.

Lee has displayed an impressive run in the 2025 season, too. The pro’s first PGA Tour victory came at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March 2025. The golfer went head-to-head against marquee players, like Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland, edging them by one stroke and finishing 20-under. Later this year, he tied the course record at the Rocket Classic with a 9-under 63 in the first round, showcasing his ability to go low on challenging tracks. This showcases his ability to perform under pressure and deliver poised victories, making him one of the top Baycurrent Classic bets.

The 2025 Baycurrent Classic promises a competitive field with a mix of proven champions and high-upside contenders. With fan favourites to home crowd champions, the field is decorated with top contenders and thrills at every step. However, when it comes to betting, there is barely ever a simple, sure-fire answer. Rather, bettors must weigh in all the odds, including PGA Tour stats, past performances, and course fits to make a decision. This list is a good place to start.