The PGA Tour continues this week with a pairs format for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana.
The field consisting of 80 double acts (top 33 inc ties make cut) will all be competing for a share of the $8.3m with the winners collecting the title and $1.69m.
This is another stunning Pete Dye designed parkland lay out with over one hundred bunkers stretching over 250 acres of wetland.
It’s a par 72, playing 7,425 yards long where the key attribute will be accuracy and a hot putter to negotiate these tricky greens.
We picked the winners at this event last year when Cameron Smith & Marc Leishman came out victorious after a play off. The Aussie pairing return this year to defend their title but it won’t be an easy task with such a strong field.
Tournament Format
The format will consist of four days of golf starting tomorrow (Wednesday). Days one and three will see the pairs compete in a best ball format when each player plays his own ball with the best individual score counting towards the 72 hole total or 36 as the case me be if missing the cut.
In rounds two and four it will be an alternate shot format when one player in the team takes a shot then the other takes the next until the hole is completed.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and very warm throughout but breezes are expected to peak at 30mph.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 1.30pm GMT on Wednesday afternoon.
So let’s move on with this weeks selections for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Leishman/Smith
For my first and main selections I’m going to advise the Aussie pairing again this year, Leishman/Smith, 10/1 EW Bet365.
The International Presidents Cup teammates did the business last year and they can go on to successfully defend their title at TPC Louisiana this year.
The 28 year old from Brisbane, world number six, Cameron Smith has won this event twice now and has also won two events this year already.
He won The Players Championship and also the Sentry Tournament of Champions while finishing 3rd at The Masters just a fortnight ago.
His playing partner and friend Marc Leishman at 38 years old doesn’t come here with the form Smith brings but does have more experience.
He still has five Top 30 finishes in the nine events played this year with three of those Top 20 finishes including 10th place at The Sentry Tournament of Champions.
It’s all about the team bonding at this event and the Aussie pairing are a dream team, they just click together and have more experience than most playing as a duo. This can again help them on their way to yet another title together so I don’t want to miss out and nether will you.
MacIntyre/Laird
For my next selections I’m really liking the look of our very own pairing in New Orleans this week, MacIntyre/Laird 60/1 EW Bet365.
The Scottish pairing are maybe being a shadow overlooked by the firms but hey that’s good and suits us to a tee (pardon the pun).
The young 25 year old from Oban, Robert MacIntyre, arrives here fresh from a more than respectable 23rd at The Masters and also has three Top 20 finishes in eight attempts this year.
Bob’s best finish this year was 9th at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic so it’s fair to say he has been playing some tidy golf already this year.
His playing partner Martin Laird, 39 years old from Glasgow, brings the experience with four PGA crowns to his name.
His most recent victory was at the Shriners Children’s Hospital Open in 2020 so this pairing could be worth the watching.
Laird was in the Top 30 last time out at the Valero Texas Open finishing 29th so does come with some form to rely on.
Listen, we all know how patriotic this pairing are and as mentioned previously, with this tournament all about team bonding I can’t think of a better partnership to win than our very own Bob MacIntyre and Martin Laird at an attractive price.
Lowry/Poulter
For my next picks I’m going to suggest Lowry/Poulter 22/1 EW SportNation.
The Ryder Cup teammates and good friends can almost certainly go all the way here this weekend and will enjoy this format.
The 35 year old Irishman Shane Lowry comes here with tremendous form. He was T3rd in Augusta at The Masters only a fortnight ago and also finished T3rd at last weeks RBC Heritage. Since the start of the year Lowry has played at nine events and hasn’t finished any worse than 35th making every cut along the way.
He’s more than made the cut with seven of those attempts being Top 20 finishes and better still three of those being Top 5 finishes with the best of those being runner up at the recent Honda Classic.
Shane Lowry is playing some of his best golf at the moment and with some help from the The Postman, Ian Poulter, the veteran 46 year old from England just loves this format, that’s why he’s always got a place in the Ryder Cup team.
Poulter can’t boast the same recent form as his partner Lowry but does have two fairly recent 6th places to go on; T6th at the end of last year's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai & T6th this year at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
I think anyone would be happy to have The Postman on their side this week, none more so than Lowry.
This format, with conditions will more than suit both players, could be all set up for their games and it would come as no surprise to see the Ryder Cup teammates triumph in the New Orleans sunshine this weekend with some help from the 30mph winds.
Gooch/Homa v An/Im
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and I’m going to advise Gooch/Homa to get the better of An/Im 10/11 Nap Bet365.
Zurich Classic Tips
- Marc Leishman/ Cameron Smith 10/1 EW Bet365
- Martin Laird / Robert MacIntyre 60/1 EW Bet365
- Shane Lowry /Ian Poulter 22/1 EW SportNation
- Taylor Gooch / Max Homa to beat B H An /Sungjae Im – 72 hole matchbet 10/11 Nap Bet365
