Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Top 10 power rankings for TPC Louisiana

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AVONDALE, LA – APRIL 27: Jon Rahm of Spain plays his shot from the 16th tee during the second round of the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana on April 27, 2018 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

There are some good nickname possibilities with these two. Pahlmer. Rahlmer. Take your pick.

Rahm might be one of the players who is assigned a partner as he was with Wesley Bryan in 2018. The two fired a 66 in best ball but couldn’t get it together for a 75 in alternate shot. Bryan was in poor form last year, so I’m willing to give Rahm a pass.

Palmer was with Jordan Spieth the last two years and finished fourth with him in 2017. Spieth is out this year.

Palmer is No. 70 in the world. The 42-year-old has quietly had a solid 2018-19 season. He went T3 and T7 in the fall at the CJ Cup and Shriners. In 2019, he took T13 at Torrey Pines and T4 at the Honda Classic. Bookend rounds of 66 and 69 helped him to T28 last week at Harbour Town.

Palmer has plenty of experience at TPC Louisiana to help Rahm who has just two competitive rounds on property. Palmer made six of eight cuts as an individual including T4 in 2012.

He’s 34th in strokes gained approaching the green and will benefit in alternate shot when Rahm can get it far down the fairway.

Rahm is No. 11 in the world and seems due for a win. He won six times, four on the PGA Tour, between 2017 and ‘18.

The 25-year-old is spectacularly consistent with seven top-10s in 10 starts in 2019. His best was T5 at the Farmers Insurance Open. He most recently was T9 at the Masters and fired a Sunday 68 to finish three off the pace.

Rahm is ninth overall in strokes gained and second off the tee.

Neither are particularly accurate off the tee, but if they find enough fairways they’ll be tough to beat.

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