Zurich Classic of New Orleans Betting Tips & Predictions – Thursday 25 April 2019

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans was always a well-regarded PGA Tour event which regularly attracted a high class field to TPC Louisianna. The event organisers and the PGA Tour believed it was the perfect tournament at which to add something new to the schedule though and it was all change in 2017 when the Zurich Classic became a team event.

The 80 teams of two will complete a round of four-balls on Thursday and a round of alternate shot on Friday before the top 35 and ties make it through to the weekend where the format repeats to decide the winner. Partnerships with a combination of skills should have a chance to shine by leaning on one another and that’s the approach which could well see Tony Finau and Kyle Stanley prosper at 22/1 with Betfred.

Course Info

The format of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans would not work at every golf course. The intricacies of alternate shot would be too difficult on a course that is overly taxing so the getable nature of TPC Louisianna is perfect for this tournament. The par 72 layout can stretch to a maximum distance of 7,425 yards which is a fair old distance but it had a habit of producing low winning scores when the Zurich Classic was a traditional stroke play event and that’s continued with the new format.

The best pairs this week will have complementary styles of golf that allow them the chance to score on the various hole shapes and designs found at TPC Louisianna. The one thing they’ll need to have in common though is a solid putting ability. The greens are very slopey which is a major challenge as they are set to run at 12 on the Stimpmeter.

Recent Winners

This is just the third time that the Zurich Classic of New Orleans has been played as a team competition. The first pair to get the job done was Jonas Blixt the Cameron Smith. The youthful partnership had an instant understanding of how to get the best out of one another’s game but the rather flaky nature of the tournament is reflected in the fact that they missed the cut last year.

Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy were the next partnership to show that winning this tournament is as much about how pairs gel together as the technical golfing ability of either player. They also showed that it is important to be able to hack the pressure that making almost constant birdies demands as did the last three individual winners of the Zurich Classic.

Analysis: Relentless, Attacking Golf Could Prove Vital

There is some pretty horrible weather in the forecast for the first two days of play at TPC Louisianna. That will pose the players a serious challenge but the hot and sunny conditions at the weekend combined with a damp golf course should ensure another winning score that nears -30. Making that many birdies and eagles is no mean feat so team who take an aggressive approach to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans should have the edge over those who focus more on keeping bogeys off the card.

Finau and Stanley Have the Right Combination to Win

Tony Finau found himself in the shake up going into the final round of the Masters once again this year. The big hitting American has developed into the sort of player who can compete with the best on the biggest stages so it is more than a little surprising that he has won only once on the PGA Tour.

Finau’s partner, Kyle Stanley, has two PGA Tour wins to his name but is a much less eye catching player. Stanley relies on finding fairways and greens which, when married up with a good week on the greens, is a recipe for making a lot of money. Both men are ultra-competitive types who are primarily interested in wins though so should push each other on in Avendale. Their combination of styles certainly suggests they’ll be able to rack up the number of birdies required so Finau and Stanley look very well priced at 22/1 with Betfred.

Harrington and Lowry Interest at a Big Price

Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry are each regarded as having among the best short games on the PGA Tour. The Irish duo have each other to thank for that as they practice their chipping and pitching together at almost every event that they both play in by trying to get up and down out of increasingly horrible positions.

They’ll take that fun yet competitive approach to the golf course at TPC Louisianna which should make them dangerous to the competition. Given Lowry’s recent form you’d think that he will have to do much of the heavy lifting in terms of the scoring but they both did some good work when finishing on -11 under last year and have every chance of making a fairly big improvement to be in contention come Sunday so back Lowry and Harrington each way at 66/1 with Betfair.

Final Verdict: Finau & Stanley to Win

The new look Zurich Classic is still finding its feet a little as a tournament. That make things trickier from a betting perspective but there is no doubt the opportunity is there, especially if a team with the quality of Tony Finau and Kyle Stanley play to their potential at a very generous price of 22/1 with Betfred.