The PGA Tour enjoys one of the more novel events on the schedule as the field heads to TPC Louisana for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
2022 ATP Tour
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
TPC Louisiana, Louisiana
21st-24th April
Jordan Spieth enjoyed a brilliant Easter Sunday, capturing yet another PGA Tour crown at the RBC Heritage. Interestingly, it was his first PGA Tour victory since last year’s Valero Texas Open (which also finished on Easter Sunday).
It was slightly disappointing that he beat my pre-tournament pick for victory: Patrick Cantlay. Still, I can’t feel too bad about picking one of the two 72-hole leaders. The tour moves to Louisiana for one of my personal favourite events on the tour: The Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
This is one of those rare events where the players seem to just enjoy themselves. They probably get a kick out of this rare opportunity to play relaxed team golf (this isn’t the pressure cooker environment associated with either the Ryder or Presidents Cup).
This event actually started life way back in 1938 and has been held annually since 1958. But a flagging event was given life when the tour decided to mix things up, rebranding it as a team event in 2017.
80 teams to take on TPC Louisiana
80 teams of 2 will tee it up at TPC Louisiana this week. The teams will play four-ball (best-ball) on Thursday and Saturday. They will play foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Sunday.
There is a 36-hole cut, with the top 33 teams and ties making it to the weekend. TPC Louisiana is yet another classic Pete Dye design. But this isn’t anywhere near as challenging as last week’s claustrophobic Dye design: Hilton Head.
At over 7,400 yards, it is appreciatively longer than Hilton Head. But it isn’t anywhere near as daunting from the tee and the greens are far more receptive. In fact, the record here for the better-ball is 60 (which has been achieved on five separate occasions).
Just look for good ball-striking teams who complement each other well. Last year’s champions- Cameron Smith and Mark Leishman- are a perfect example of a TPC Louisiana-ready side.
Cameron Smith aiming to win this event for the third time
Cameron Smith is the only player to have won this event twice. He has been in exceptional form this year though he may need to carry Mark Leishman a bit if he wants to secure back-to-back titles.
Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland- ranked 2nd and 5th in the world respectively- form an uber team that will take some beating. They were both college prodigies who burst onto the scene in 2019.
Not to be outdone, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are a talented pairing that has been forged in the crucible of President’s Cup and Ryder Cup action.
World Number One Scottie Scheffler will be making his first appearance since claiming his maiden Major Championship at Augusta. He stands a real chance to win his 5th title in seven outings, picking the ideal partner in 2019 champ Ryan Palmer.
This should be a wonderfully entertaining weekend which may demonstrate other facets of these often stoic PGA Tour professionals.
Past Winners
2021: Mark Leishman and Cameron Smith (-20) * playoff
2020: cancelled due to Covid
2019: Ryan Palmer and Jon Rahm (-26)
2018: Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy (-22)
2017: Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith (-27) * playoff
Betting Favourites (To Win): Morikawa/Hovland (7/1), Cantlay/Schauffele (8/1), Leishman/Smith (8/1), Palmer/Scheffler (11/1), Horschel/Burns (14/1)
Value Bets
Keegan Bradley and Brendan Steele- To Win 33/1 | To Place 7/1
These two just have great chemistry. They are close friends away from the course, routinely playing practice rounds together. They also finished in fourth place here last year. Bradley comes into this year’s event in excellent form, with three top 11 finishes in his last five starts. Steele started this year in terrible fashion, missing his first five cuts. But his form has turned a bit recently, evidenced by a T13 at TPC Sawgrass (a notable Pete Dye design). He tends to play well on gettable courses and I think these two could do well this week.
Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown- To Win 80/1 | To Place 17/1
This one is based purely on team chemistry. Scott Brown is certainly not amongst the elite players in world golf. But in Kevin Kisner, he has a partner with an unflappable attitude who seems to bring out the best in him. Kisner has produced some solid results this year, losing in the final of the WGC Match-play and finishing 4th at TPC Sawgrass. These long-time friends have competed as partners every year since this event turned into a team contest. They have also had success, finishing in the top five twice (including a runner-up finish in 2017).
The Team to Beat- Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele- To Win 8/1 | To Place 7/4
I hate backing the same player in consecutive weeks. But I just think these two have a great chance of lifting this year’s title. Cantlay nearly won his first title of the year last week and he comes into this event in excellent form. Schauffele has been uncharacteristically quiet of late, not picking up a top 10 finish since February. But this pairing has proven itself on the big stage, helping America in several big team events. The combination of Schauffele’s iron-play and Cantlay’s putting make them a nightmare opponent in foursomes (alternate shot). I expect Schauffle, playing alongside his good friend, to rediscover his form this week.
