Written by @Matt_Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Zurich Classic of New Orleans | Thursday 24 April – Sunday 27 April | TPC Louisiana
Last week saw Hollywood favourite Matt Kuchar take home first place in the RBC Heritage, in what proved to be the most dramatic of finishes. Sitting in the bunker on the 18th, few punters would have bet he’d hole out from there. Miraculously, he did it and hopefully a few of you got on before the tournament started. Thursday marks the start of the Zurich Classic, so for those who missed out there’s a chance to find a winner again this week in what should be a hotly contested tournament, despite the disappointing field. The course was designed by the legendary Peter Dye and poses a serious challenge for even the most accomplished golfers. The 7,400 yard par 72 is littered with pot bunkers and water hazards so accuracy is key and the ability to keep it on the fairway will be invaluable. The course plays long so competence with the driver is a must. As usual, GIR% will be a key factor as will bunker play because once in those pot bunkers, it’s going to take a lot to get out. So who will win this one? Let’s have a look.
To Win Outright
Justin Rose 12/1
Rickie Fowler 16/1
Keegan Bradley 18/1
Graham Delaet 20/1
Ryan Palmer 25/1
VALUE BETS
Kevin Stadler (40/1 a win, 72/10 a place)
I’m sure a lot of golf fans out there were surprised to see Stadler finish eighth in the Masters but despite the fact that he is not the most well-known of golfers, he has been making a name for himself over the last few months and will continue to do so this year. He’s an incredibly talented golfer who plays his irons as well as the best in the game and his finish at Augusta was mainly due to the fact that he was hitting the ball so well off the fairway. Had he been putting a bit better, a Top 5 finish was well within his reach but he let himself down on the dance floor. Never mind all that though, against this field he has a real chance. A long and accurate driver of the ball who can put his irons close, there’s a lot to like about Stadler this week. Each way here is the bet for me.
Ryan Palmer (25/1 a win, 9/2 a place)
Palmer has had an up-and-down season but there have been occasions that he has gone close and up against this field I reckon he has a real chance. A second at the Humana Challenge was followed by another close finish at the Honda Classic when he lost in a playoff and more recently, he managed a T7 at the difficult Houston Open. These performances show that he has what it takes to go low and add to that his course form, he finished fourth here two years ago, and you have a real prospect on your hands. A long, accurate driver who plays his irons well, he should be able to stay away from trouble and make some birdies. Each way on Palmer is the bet for me.
JB Holmes (50/1 a win, 9/1 a place)
JB Holmes seems to be returning to form and could do well in New Orleans this week. Having finished inside the Top 20 in his last two starts, he will be confident that he can improve on those, especially considering that he finished thirteenth here last year. On the stats his GIR% is pretty poor but like I said, he is returning to form and those two Top 20’s came on the back of some accurate iron play. With his putting the way it is, if he can get the ball on the green in two he’ll surely make a lot of birdies.
TOP BET: Graham Delaet (20/1 a win, 7/2 a place)
Graham Delaet ticks all the boxes this week and for that reason is my top bet here. He’s currently ranked second in GIR% and when you combine that with his ranking of 37th in total driving, you see a player who will be making a ton of birdies and hopefully blowing away the competition. He also loves the course and showed that in 2012 when he finished fourth. Delaet is due a win and I reckon this could be his week. Get on while you can, 20/1 is generous.
