The PGA Tour will head to the Bayou State this week for the latest edition of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans from TPC Louisiana. World No. 1 Jason Day will make his first start since the RBC Heritage a couple of weeks ago as the betting favorite at the top of the list of an impressive cast of contenders for this week’s event.
Event Details
Event: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Category: PGA
Date: April 28-May1
Location: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana
Justin Rose will defend his title as the 2015 winner but experience isn’t necessarily a requirement to contend this week. Seven of the last 11 champions were first-time participants at the tournament and it has been played at this course every year since 2007.
Past Five Winners
2015: Justin Rose -22
2014: Seung-Yul Noh -19
2013: Billy Horschel -20
2012: Jason Dufner -19 (Playoff)
2011: Bubba Watson -15 (Playoff)
What To Know About The Course
TPC Louisiana ranked in the PGA Tour’s list of the top 10 easiest golf courses over the last few years and there is no doubt that what players do off the tee is what matters the most. Rose and 2014 Noh Seung-yui both have excellent power off the tee while the ability to drive the ball is arguably Watson’s biggest strength. Greens in Regulation are another stat to keep an eye on as last year’s runner-up Cameron Tringale ranked third in that department. Ultimately it will come down to which golfer puts himself in the best position to make his putts with Driving Distance one of the most important stats to keep an eye on.
The Field
Day is the obvious betting favorite at +500 odds after taking a week off following the RBC Heritage. The world No. 1 will look to get back on track following a 10th-place finish at The Masters and a 23rd place finish the following week at the RBC Heritage. He has already recorded a pair of wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play and he has placed in the top-10 in four of his eight starts this season. Meanwhile, the defending champion Rose is listed at +800 odds followed by Rickie Fowler at +1100 and 2013 winner Billy Horschel at +1800. Charley Hoffman will look to build off his first win of the year at the Valero Texas Open at +1800 odds to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans while the 2014 winner Seung-Yui Noh is a tremendous long shot at +12500 odds to win outright.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Bubba Watson over Rickie Fowler
Watson was extremely frustrated throughout his week at Augusta National where he never really did find his rhythm on route to a 37th-place finish but he bounced back at the Shenzhen International with an eighth-place finish last week and should be motivated to bounce back this week. Meanwhile, Fowler followed up his missed cut at The Masters by going on vacation with his buddies for spring break and while he has all of the tools to succeed at this course we think Watson has the edge in this matchup. Look for Bubba to return to TPC Louisiana with an excellent performance as he contends for another win at the Zurich Classic and edges out Fowler in their sports betting matchup.
Top Five Pick: Jason Day
Day can be a difficult player to project based on his health and sometimes sporadic play but he is the best player in this week’s field and should be in top form following a week off to prepare for this event. He got a taste of what it will take to succeed at this event when he finished fourth at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans a year ago so look for him to contend for the victory again this year as the closest thing to a lock to finish in the top-five.
Top 10 Odds To Win Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Jason Day +505
Justin Rose +805
Rickie Fowler +1050
Billy Horschel +1650
Charley Hoffman +1650
Daniel Berger +2250
Marc Leishman +3550
Chris Kirk +3550
Smylie Kaufman +3550
Charles Howell III +4050
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