In many ways, I wish that this event was played directly after the Masters. Last week’s RBC Heritage had a distinct post-Masters lethargy to it. I think this revamped team incarnation of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans would provide the perfect tonic to the anxiety that the Masters instils.
This event actually dates back to 1938 though it only became an annual fixture on tour in 1958. This event underwent a drastic makeover in 2017, turning into a two-man team event which alternates between best ball and alternate shot. Some truly brilliant teams are in attendance this year in an event that is both popular with players and fans alike.
2019 US PGA Tour | Zurich Classic of New Orleans
TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana | 25 – 28 April 2019
Four-balls will be played on Thursday and Saturday, while foursomes will take center stage on Friday and Sunday. This Pete Dye creation is one of his more forgiving layouts, with minimal rough in play. Found on the delta wetlands, this course is predominated by water. There are also plentiful bunkers, with over 100 littered around the course. Bermuda dominates a course with smaller than average greens. The course has the tendency to play fairly firm. While world rankings points won’t be in play this week there will be 400 FedEx Cup points for the champions. A 7.3 million dollar purse doesn’t hurt either.
Billy Horschel and Scott Piercey will be back to defend their title in a decidedly more illustrious field than ever before. Jason Day and Adam Scott team up for a megawatt Aussie duo while Tommy Fleetwood and Sergio Garcia make for an attractive Ryder Cup duo. 2018 Masters Champion Patrick Reed and this year’s Sunday phenomenon Patrick Cantlay make for an exciting American duo. Three-time Major Champion Brooks Koepka will accompany his brother Chase in a pair that is sure to attract large galleries while Jon Rahm and Ryan Palmer make for an explosive duo near the top of the betting markets.
Past Winners – Since 2017
2018: Billy Horschel and Scott Piercey (-22)
2017: Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith (-27)
Betting Favorites (To Win)
Adam Scott/Jason Day (13/2)
Sergio Garcia/Tommy Fleetwood (15/2)
Patrick Cantlay/Patrick Reed (12/1)
Jon Rahm/Ryan Palmer (16/1)
Billy Horschel/Scott Piercey (18/1)
Value Bets
Scott Brown and Kevin Kisner
To Win (33/1) | To Place (7/1)
I feel that Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown are extremely overpriced considering their recent exertions in this very event. They were runner’s up in the inaugural 2017 staging, and they led last year with 18 holes to go: they eventually plummeted to a disappointing 15th place finish after a disastrous final round 77. Kisner is in extraordinary form, having won the WGC Match-Play. Scott Brown has had an assortment of decent finishes at events such as the Farmers Insurance Open and the Puerto Rico Open. They may not be the flashiest selection this week but both players are inordinately steady and errors should be at a premium.
Johnson Wagner and Harris English
To Win (140/1) | To Place (30/1)
This is a pair that are very close, both actually maintaining properties in Sea Island. So looking at that intangible quality of team connection, these two most certainly have it. Also, both of these guys are just fractionally inside the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings. They should be amongst the most motivated team for this week’s event. English is something of a team specialist, having twice won the QBE Shootout. Wagner’s first notable victory also came in Louisiana and he currently sits 10th in greens in regulation on tour. That should dovetail well with English’s more erratic tendencies. This just looks great value at 140/1.
The Team to Beat
Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay
To Win (12/1) | To Place (26/10)
The duelling Patrick’s return for their 3rd consecutive year and may ultimately become a Ryder Cup fixture as Cantlay’s recent form has blossomed. Cantlay almost won the Masters while defending Masters Champion has certainly struggled to find his best golf this season. But this team format may be just the thing to galvanize ‘Captain America’ this week. Cantlay was also in contention at last week’s Heritage, which means that at least one of these two is in red-hot form. And sometimes that’s all you need going into one of these team events.
