Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up for the ZOZO Championship.

1. ICYMI: TGL schedule announced

Here’s who features in the first match, via PGATour.com…

Match 1: New York Golf Club vs. The Bay Golf Club

Tuesday, Jan 7, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

“With the PGA TOUR fresh off The Sentry, its first Signature Event of 2025, TGL’s first-ever match is Tuesday, Jan. 7, in prime time on ESPN and ESPN+.”

“Coming off a career season that included two major championship victories, Xander Schauffele leads New York Golf Club (Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler, Schauffele and Cameron Young) to face The Bay Golf Club (Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee and Shane Lowry) as the two youngest teams in TGL square off.”

And Tiger Woods’ first action will be…

Match 4: Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf

Monday, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

2. Hero field (sans Tiger…for now) announced

3. JT excited for Japan with daughter on the way

Adam Stanley for PGATour.com…Justin Thomas has a singular focus this week.

• But by this time next month, he’ll be ready for his life to change in a sweet new way.

• “It’s going to be great. But this week I’m focused on business and trying to win a golf tournament,” Thomas said.

• “Then it’s time to go home and get ready to be a dad.”

• Thomas announced on social media he and his wife Jillian would be expecting their first child in November. Thomas revealed Tuesday at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP that they are having a daughter.

• “Any golf shot or situation I am in this week, it’s not going to be anything close to as hard as it’s going to be in a month or so when our little one comes,” Thomas said with a smile. “We’re very fortunate with the timing … or me being able to come here.

• “I think reality will probably set in when I’m flying home and then when I get home because it will be getting in crunch time. I know my wife’s going to be an unbelievable mom and I’m excited for the opportunity to raise a little girl.”

4. Security changes ahead at WMPO

Golf Digest’s Joel Beall…”This week, the tournament announced changes to ensure a repeat won’t happen in 2025. Those implementations include:”

• “-Adding another tournament entrance designed to improve crowd flow, particularly during peak hours on high-attendance days like Friday and Saturday.”

• “-Several walkways around the course have been expanded, providing fans with more space to move easily and comfortably in what is traditionally one of the most popular and high foot-traffic areas of the golf course.”

• “-Full-digital ticketing, which will improve issues fans experienced entering the property.”

• “-Two additional fan spectating venues.”

5. A man in search of a tour

AP report…”Sung Kang didn’t have the status to get in another full year on the PGA Tour, so he looked elsewhere. He found the Bahamas and Bahrain. He went as far south as Argentina, as far north as Denmark. He played at sea level and in the Alps.”

• “He has learned plenty this year, such as this nugget for anyone curious.”

• “Singapore to Houston is really far,” Kang said early Tuesday in South Korea, the 18th country he has played in this year. He was dealing with jet lag from the 6,400-mile (10,300-kilometer) flight to Seoul from the Andalucia Masters along the southern coast of Spain.”

• “Kang was referring to a trip in late March. He missed the cut in the Singapore Classic on the DP World Tour and flew to Texas the next day so he could arrive in time for a Monday qualifier at the Houston Open. He shot 67 to get in and then missed the cut.”

• “Next stop: Savannah, Georgia, for a Korn Ferry Tour event.”

6. Davidson competes as LPGA pros dispute transgender policy

AP report…”Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson began the second stage of LPGA qualifying Tuesday with a 78 as reports surfaced of 275 female players signing a letter asking top golf organizations to repeal policies that allow people assigned male at birth to compete in women’s events.”

• “Outkick reported that the Independent Women’s Forum shared the letter sent Aug. 19 to the LPGA, the U.S. Golf Association and the International Golf Federation. The letter was sent three days before the pre-qualifying stage of Q-school.”

• “Davidson, who narrowly missed out on a playoff during U.S. Women’s Open qualifying this year, tied for 42nd in LPGA pre-qualifying to advance to the next stage.”

• “The LPGA currently allows players who have undergone gender-affirming surgery after puberty and meet hormone therapy requirements to compete.”

7. Chuck sounds off