2022 Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Top 10 Power Rankings

Bubba Watson might not pair well with some players. It’s hard to see anyone not pairing well with Harold Varner III.

HVIII’s easy-going attitude makes him a viable partner for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. So does his recent form.

Varner III won early in 2022 on the Asian Tour and has played well stateside. A T-3rd finish last week at the RBC Heritage was his third straight top-25 and fourth in the last five weeks.

Varner III was the 54-hole leader by one at Harbour Town. He made just one bogey in a Sunday 1-under 70 and made all pars on the back nine. Not a poor showing, but it was another example of him not quite being able to seal the deal for his first PGA Tour event.

What better person to seek counsel on winning than Bubba?

Watson is a 12-time PGA Tour winner and two-time major champ. The 43-year-old is aging out of his prime, but has still posted some solid results this season.

He was the runner-up in Varner’s Asian Tour win and would’ve been in a playoff had Varner III not holed out from off the green on the 72nd hole.

Watson also took T-14th at the WM Phoenix Open and in his last start grabbed T-39th at the Masters.

Last year, Watson took T-8th at the Zurich Classic alongside Scottie Scheffler. Varner missed the cut with Branden Grace.

Bubba is 4-for-4 making the cut at TPC Louisiana with four different partners. The lefty doesn’t have enough rounds logged on the PGA Tour to qualify for statistical rankings. The .32 strokes gained per round off the tee would rank 45th. His length will be a nice asset with a shorter hitter like Varner III.

HVIII is 10th in birdie average (4.49) and 34th in SG around the green (.291).