The PGA Tour continues this weekend, but Scottie Scheffler, the man of the moment, isn't in the field, which will be a huge boost to the rest of the players teeing it up at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Another possible boost is the temporary switch in format, which will see 80 pairs of players compete in foursomes and fourballs across four days of action.
It is perhaps a welcome break to the standard PGA Tour format, which is why several top players, including Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, are signed up despite the modest purse of $8,900,000.
The action will take place at TPC Louisiana, and the forecast across the weekend is excellent, with clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine expected. Live coverage of the event can be found on Sky Sports across all four days.
Without further ado, here are our Zurich Classic of New Orleans betting tips.
Zurich Classic of New Orleans betting tips
Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele E/W (six places) – 10/3
Patrick Cantlay and Xander Sachauffele have unsurprisingly been priced as the favourites to win the tournament and their E/W price of 10/3 represents fantastic value. The duo have been playing foursomes and fourballs together for several years as part of the USA Ryder Cup and President Cup teams.
Their record has always been formidable, with the exception of the recent Ryder Cup drubbing in Rome, and they have also made a name for themselves at the Zurich Classic over the years. In 2022, they recorded a ridiculous round of 59 (13-under-par) during the opening round of fourballs on their way to winning the tournament.
Then, last year, they smashed another course record, this time in foursomes during the second round when they combined for a nine-under-par round of 63. They ultimately came up short in their title defence but they will be feeling supremely confident of producing more magic this weekend around a course that lends itself to both of their games.
Corey Conners/Taylor Pendrith top five finish – 5/1
Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith aren't one of the more fancied pairings this week but we believe they should be. Sure, they aren't the biggest names on the PGA Tour at present, but styles make fights, and both their games are stylistically perfect for TPC Louisiana – particularly when they are combined.
Taylor Pendrith is regarded as one of the best drivers on tour and ranks inside the top ten for driving distance. He is also an elite putter and ranks just outside the top 20 for strokes gained on the dancefloor.
Conners meanwhile, has an approach game that should complement his partner's booming tee shots and skills on the green. The 32-year-old ranks inside the top 15 players on the PGA Tour for strokes gained on approaches to the green and also for greens in regulation percentage. If both of these players play to their average then they will be tough to stop.
Collin Morikawa/Kurt Kitayama top ten finish – 10/11
Collin Morikawa is getting back to his best form and was Scottie Scheffler's only real threat at the Masters a fortnight ago. Kurt Kitayama, meanwhile, is a force in his own right after becoming a winner on the PGA Tour last March thanks to victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Kitayama has missed the cut just once this season and ranks inside the top 25 on the PGA Tour this season for strokes gained off the tee. This should work well with Morikawa, whose strengths over the years have been his ability with his irons – he has finished inside the top five for strokes gained on approaches to the green in all of his seasons on the PGA Tour.
Morikawa has also improved with the putter since making a switch during the Masters. However, Kitayama usually struggles with this area, which could prevent them from finishing higher than the top 10.
Andy is tipster who has been calling Golf tournaments for several years across many different platforms. He has covered all tournaments from the Asian Tour to the Masters.
Great write up totally agree with you with the cantlay pairing,brilliant format for a change from the same old tournaments every week,hard to watch at times with the slow pace, thanks again.