For the first time in more than 30 years we get to enjoy team play at a PGA Tour event, as the Zurich Classic of New Orleans will feature 80 two-man teams competing in the 69th edition of the tournament. The first and third rounds will be alternate shot (foursomes), while the second and final rounds will be best ball (four-ball). Many of the world’s top players are in the field and four of them are teamed up, as No. 3 Jason Day teams with No. 9 Rickie Fowler, while No. 6 Henrik Stenson teams with No. 8 Justin Rose. Let’s look at the matchups for this exciting tournament and picks.
Zurich Classic Matchup Odds at BookMaker.eu
J Rose/H Stenson -140 vs. J Day/R Fowler
J Day/R Fowler -115 vs. J Spieth/R Palmer
J Rose/H Stenson -130 vs. J Spieth/R Palmer
D Berger/T Pieters -115 vs. B Grace/L Oosthuizen
J Thomas/B Cauley -120 vs. D Berger/T Pieters
J Thomas/B Cauley -120 vs. B Grace/L Oosthuizen
B Watson/JB Holmes -120 vs. H Matsuyama/H Tanihara
K Chappell/G Woodland -130 vs. B Watson/JB Holmes
K Chappell/G Woodland -130 vs. H Matsuyama/H Tanihara
P Reed/P Cantlay -125 vs. J Lovemark/L Donald
K Bradley/B Steele -115 vs. T Finau/D Summerhays
R Henley/B Barber -140 vs. S. Noh/Byeong-Hun An
C Hoffman/N Watney -120 vs. K Kisner/S Brown
H Swafford/H English -125 vs. S. Noh/Byeong-Hun An
J Dufner/P Kizzire -115 vs. W McGirt/R Garrigus
R Knox/K Streelman -140 vs. T Hatton/J Donaldson
S Stricker/J Kelly -145 vs. P Rodgers/C Tringale
D Hearn/G DeLaet -140 vs. W Bryan/R Blaum
C Reavie/L Glover -200 vs. B Koepka/C Koepka
F Gomez/J Vegas -140 vs. G Ogilvy/I Poulter
O Schniederjans/R Werensk -115 vs. D Lingmerth/D Lee
J Blixt/C Smith -125 vs. A Cejka/S Kjeldsen
D Bozzelli/JT Poston -135 vs. S Kaufman/H Varner
JJ Spaun/R Brehm -115 vs. B Harman/J Wagner
K Stanley/R Ruffels -115 vs. B Stuard/C Stroud
Zurich Classic Matchup Picks
Before we get to the picks there are a few things to consider. The TPC Louisiana is a par 72 that has big fairways and small greens. The key this week is driving distance and putting. That should put a premium on teams that have a bomber and a putter. Aggressive play is usually rewarded at TPC Louisiana. Last week I went 2-1-1 with the four matchup picks at the Valero Texas Open. I am avoiding the power matchups this week, as it would not surprise me if any one of the top four duos in the betting odds ending up winning.
K Chappell/G Woodland -130 vs. B Watson/JB Holmes
The pairing of Chappell and Woodland should be a good one with Woodland capable of matching Bubba and J.B. on the drives while Chappell outplays them near the green. Bubba and J.B. are simply going to bomb it every hole and neither has played that well this season.
R Henley/B Barber -140 vs. S. Noh/Byeong-Hun An
Both Henley and Barber play well on Bermuda grass, so they should have a nice edge against Noh and Hun An in this matchup.
S Stricker/J Kelly -145 vs. P Rodgers/C Tringale
The oldest duo in the field is Stricker and Kelly but their experience and current form is better than that of Rodgers and Tringale. It also helps that Kelly won on this course in 2009.
T Hatton/J Donaldson +110 vs. R Knox/K Streelman
My one underdog this week is the duo of Hatton and Donaldson. This is another duo where the power-precision combination should do well. Hatton can be the bomber off the tee, while Donaldson hits the precision shots. The only caveat is that underdogs have been the only weakness in the weekly matchups for me so far this season.
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