Predictions: Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Welcome everyone to another exciting edition of predictions here at Pro Golf Now, as we get you ready for the Zurich Classic, which gets underway tomorrow in New Orleans. Not much of a loaded field this week, as most players are preparing for the Quail Hollow Championship next week in Charlotte (with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson being among that group) or playing elsewhere (with Ernie Els and Anthony Kim playing in Europe). But there’s still plenty of great golf to be played this weekend in the states, so let’s make some predictions!

The Sleeper

I’ve just been waiting for Brandt Snedeker to find the success that he had a few years ago, and he’s been heading in the right direction so far this season. He’s got four Top 25’s in ten starts on tour in 2010, including a second-place finish at the Farmers Insurance Open. We all remember his play at the 2008 Masters, and his emotional post-round presser. The fact is, this guy can play, and he’s a threat to contend in a lot of golf tournaments.

Snedeker’s putting has been the difference so far this year, as he’s third on tour in putting average (1.7) and seventh in putts per round (27.81). Anytime you have a player that can putt like this, it’s just a matter of getting it to the green. It’s clear that he’s found some of his confidence again, and is building off of some late-season success in ’09. I think he plays well this week, and has a very good chance to win the whole thing.

The Favorites

Here are your favorites according to Vegas odds, and here are my favorites, which probably won’t differ too much: Steve Stricker, K.J. Choi, Ian Poulter, David Toms, Steve Marino, Jerry Kelly, Mike Weir, and Charles Howell III.

Honorable Mention: Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Stephen Ames, and Bryce Molder.

Elimination style to the finish as always, so let us begin!

Choi started off very well last week, taking the lead after round one at Hilton Head. He clearly had some momentum left over from the Masters, but that momentum fell off after the first day. He should still play well this week, but I think a win may be asking too much given the ups and downs of the last two tournaments.

Weir hasn’t had a great 2010 season thus far, however, he can still fall back on being a very accurate player, right? Well, maybe not this season. He’s struggled with the driver and his greens-in-regulation percentage is rather low, which has kept him from being consistent. He’s first on tour in putts per round though, which means if he gets accurate with the other clubs, look out. I don’t see that turnaround this week though.

Toms has had only two Top 25’s, but one came at Augusta a few weeks ago. He’s certainly got the experience to win here, as he had a T5 finish in New Orleans last year. He has the veteran approach that could make him a winner this week, especially with the field lacking in some of the game’s biggest stars right now. I expect at least a Top 10 finish from Toms this week.

Howell III is one of the hot picks this week, though I doubt the average golf fan is giving this guy enough credit. He’s already finished in the Top 10 three times this year, and while he may not be a household name, you’ve got to respect his game. We haven’t seen him with this kind of confidence in a while, and if he can be a little more accurate with the driver, he can contend this week. Should be a good tournament for him, but I don’t see a win.

The Final Four

Steve Stricker, Jerry Kelly, Ian Poulter, Steve Marino

Marino is playing some great golf right now, and has been on a tear the last month or so. He’s been in the Top 15 in his last three tournaments, and I would expect nothing less this week. Marino always seems to be the sleeper pick at major championships, and he usually plays well in those. He’s no sleeper this week though, as he’s clearly one of the favorites with the way his game has been going as of late. We should anticipate another excellent week for him, but not a winning week.

Poulter has been pretty rock-solid the last month or so, with the good finish at Augusta. While he hasn’t played that many PGA Tour events this season, there’s no doubt that he can win any of these events that he plays in. The biggest guarantee of the week is that Poulter will play well, however, I like someone else to win.

The Finals

Steve Stricker vs. Jerry Kelly

And we’re down to two. I picked Stricker to win the Masters and was oh so close to picking Kelly last week at the Verizon Heritage.

Kelly is the defending champion here, so he has to be considered a favorite by default. But he’s also played some great golf this season, and a repeat here would not be surprising in the least bit.

Stricker is the odds-on favorite to win this week, as he is clearly the best player in this entire field. That doesn’t always mean a whole lot in golf though, as things tend to change drastically from day to day.

This is probably one of the toughest picks of the year, as I honestly do believe in my gut that there is a very realistic chance that these guys could finish 1-2 this week. Stricker is due for a big week, and Kelly’s win here last year will give him a lot of confidence down the stretch.

As for which will be holding the trophy on Sunday, something tells me that it’ll be a familiar sight.

Kelly wins the Zurich Classic for the second year in a row.

UPDATE 4/21: Stricker and Poulter have both withdrew from this week’s event.