The 2026 Baycurrent Series brings one of the strongest FedExCup Fall fields to Japan this week, as defending champion Xander Schauffele tries to accomplish something no player in tournament history has done: successfully defend the title.
It is not easy for them.
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World No. 5 Wyndham Clark arrived at Yokohama Antipolis as the last player in the field after winning three times this season, including the US Open.
Schauffele, who is ranked No. 10, has seven top-10 finishes in 2026, and returns to the course where he finished 19-under last year to beat Max Greyserman by one shot.
Greyserman would be a player with the most perfect business in Japan.
He has finished runner-up at this event in consecutive years and enters week No. 98 in the FedExCup standings, making this major tournament somewhat more than redemption.
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the field also includes former Baycurrent champion Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, Sungjae Im, Keegan Bradley and recent Biltmore Asheville Championship winner Jacob Bridgeman.
Spith’s return carries a different story. He is playing in Japan for the first time since 2019 and starts the week No. 55 in the FedExCup Fall rankings.
After the players completed no. 51-60 spots can be earned in the first two Signature events of 2027, giving Spieth plenty to play for.
Others face even more pressure.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout sits at No. 99, while Tony Finau is No. 104 and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen is No. 106 as the battle to stay in the top 100 heats up.
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The store will also have representation in Japan. Matsuyama leads home with a touchdown, as Takumi Kanaya returns after closing with a 62 game to tie for fourth next year.
Yokohama Antipolis will play in par 71 at 7,322 yards with the holeshot extended to 482 yards this year. The Core-Crenshaw redesign gives players strategic choices off the tee while placing a premium on the approach to play.
Schauffele dominated the 61st, 63rd, 67th and 64th rounds last year.
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Now there is a double challenge.
With Clark, Morikawa, Matsuyama and a collection of players fighting for their 2027 PGA Tour position, the defending champion won’t be short of challengers when the Bayrunning Classic tees off on Thursday.