2022 Zurich Classic of New Orleans Breakdown and Picks
The PGA returns to Louisiana this week for the unique team event at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Several weeks ago we were treated to the WGC-Dell Match Play in Austin, one of the more unique events on the PGA’s annual schedule. This week the PGA once again mixes it up with the team event at the 2022 Zurich Classic.
2022 will mark the fifth edition of this unique showcase that is played annually at TPC Louisiana. The tournament has been a regular stop on the tour schedule since 1958 but it was only reformatted into what we see now back in 2017.
The change from a regular stroke play event to a team event was a change that was introduced in an attempt to breathe new life into the often-overlooked event in Louisiana which has traditionally been held shortly after the Masters. The change was an overwhelming success and the tournament now presents a nice change of pace from your everyday regular stop on tour.
The Pete Dye-designed TPC Louisiana has been hosting the Zurich Classic since 2005. The lengthy 7400 yard, Par 72, is the perfect host for this event with its numerous short Par 4s and four gettable Par 5 holes. One of the unique aspects of TPC Louisiana, aside from its traditional Pete Dye quirks, is the fact that it features over 100 bunkers throughout.
Teams headlining this week’s event include Viktor Hovland/Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler/Ryan Palmer, Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele, Billy Horschel/Sam Burns, and last years’ Zurich Classic winners Cameron Smith/Marc Leishman. Teams will play Four-Ball (Best Ball) on Thursday and Saturday, and Foursomes (Alternate Shot) on Friday and Sunday.
We are in for an entertaining week in Louisiana, so with that being said let’s take a look at the favorites going into the 2022 Zurich Classic and see if we can’t pick some winners.
Favorites at the Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
(Odds Courtesy of WynnBet)
- Viktor Hovland/Collin Morikawa (+750)
- Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele (+850)
- Cameron Smith/Marc Leishman (+1000)
- Ryan Palmer/Scottie Scheffler (+1100)
- Sam Burns/Billy Horschel (+1200)
- Tommy Fleetwood/Sergio Garcia (+1500)
- Shane Lowry/Ian Poulter (+2000)
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Pick to Top 10: Kevin Kisner/Scott Brown (+550)
This tandem has been paired together at the Zurich Classic every year since the format change took place in 2017. Apart from last year when they missed their first cut as a team at TPC Louisiana, the duo has been superb at this event. They were runner-up finishers to Cameron Smith/Jonas Blixt during the inaugural playing under this format, the pair added a 15th place finish in 2018, and a 5th place finish in 2019.
We already saw what Kisner was able to do this year at another event with a unique format he loves when he secured a runner-up finish at the WGC-Dell Match Play. Kisner has been playing well over the past couple of months and Scott Brown has made two of his last three cuts on the PGA Tour. I’m willing to take a chance that that pair bounce back in this spot in 2022. They clearly have great chemistry and experience as a team at this event.
Pick to Top 5: Adam Hadwin/Adam Svensson (+800)
I’m expecting Team Canada to have a great week this week at the Zurich Classic.
The Adams will come together as a team for the first time this week, though Adam Hadwin is no stranger to a bit of success around TPC Louisiana. Hadwin was 13th at the Zurich Classic in 2019. Both players come into this week in pretty great form, Svensson made an early charge up the leaderboard last week before finishing 26th at the RBC Heritage and had previously recorded a 9th place finish earlier this year at the Honda Classic.
Hadwin, meanwhile, has strung together three top 10 finishes in his last four starts. Both players are great with their approach play with Hadwin ranked (13th) and Svensson (46th) for the year, each gained strokes in that department last week at Harbour Town. Adam Hadwin is also terrific on and around the greens and should be able to save them on the rare occasion that they are unable to find the green.
The duo can make birdies in bunches and each has games that should complement one another. I expect the Adams, or Team Canada if you prefer, to have a great week this week.
Pick to Win: Sam Burns/Billy Horschel (+1200)
Billy Horschel ‘doesn’t care what you think of him’ and both he and Burns are back for “redemption” this year.
The duo teamed up for the first time last year at the Zurich Classic and nearly came away with the win in their debut as a partnership. They finished 4th here last year and if not for an errant shot into the water on 18 on Friday, Sam Burns believed they would have been even closer come the end of the week.
Both Horschel and Burns are having very nice starts to 2022 thus far, Billy has recorded three top 10 finishes already this year (T6-Phoenix Open, T2-Arnold Palmer, T9-WGC Match Play), and Sam Burns is fresh off a win at the Valspar Championship just two starts ago.
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The Zurich Classic is a homecoming for Louisiana State University product Sam Burns and there is little doubt that the crowd will be well and truly behind him this week. His great approach play (10th) should complement Horschel’s steady short game well (28th and 10th). Burns is no slouch on Bermuda greens as well as he ranks 8th amongst the field in that department.
The pair should have no problems piling up birdies this week (7th and 26th), and I like them to win this time as they set out on their ‘Redemption Tour’.