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Zurich Classic Power Rankings: Picking the top ten teams in New Orleans

By Mike Randleman

AVONDALE, LA - APRIL 30: Play is suspensed due to inclement weather uring the final round of the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana on April 30, 2017 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, LA - APRIL 30: Play is suspensed due to inclement weather uring the final round of the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana on April 30, 2017 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Zurich Classic
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 24: Justin Thomas of the United States celebrates with his former coach from Alabama Jay Seawell on the 18th green after winning the FedExCup and second in the TOUR Championship during the final round at East Lake Golf Club on September 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

A pair of Alabama Crimson Tide are in LSU Tiger country this week. That won’t do much to cut down on the bevvy of “Roll Tides” due to reign down on this duo of Bud Cauley and Justin Thomas.

Justin Thomas, 24, could have been paired with you or and I, and I would have put his team in the top 10. The casual golf fan likely isn’t up to speed on Bud Cauley’s career, but he’s had enough success to show he can be of use to his playing partner that is inching toward world No. 1.

Cauley, 28, was a highly-ranked amateur in college, won a 2014 Web.com Tour event and has logged a half-decade on the PGA Tour. Of late, Cauley’s come on strong with three straight top-25s to make six of them for the 2017-18 season.

“I always looked up to him a little bit,” Thomas said in a 2014 Golfworld feature of the two golfers. “He was the first person I reached out to once I got on tour [in 2014]. We started playing together, hanging out more. He’s kind of become one of my best friends.”

Cauley’s in the positive in all major strokes gained categories, peaking at 17th in putting.

Thomas is excellent in all facets, of course. He’s fifth in strokes gained tee-to-green and his 37th mark in putting belies his knack for making pressure putts.

No world ranking points this week will force Thomas to wait at least another week to reach No. 1, by the way.

Cauley/Thomas finished T5 last year at the Zurich Classic. They have room to grow in alternate shot (70 and 74), yet were assassins in best ball (64 and 61).

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