2023 Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Top 10 Power Rankings

Let’s hope the trash talk is kept to a minimum.

Harris English played collegiately at the University of Georgia.

Tom Hoge played at TCU.

We all know how that matchup between the two schools ended up on the gridiron in the national championship.

I’m sure Hoge will receive some jabs here and there, but it should all be in good fun.

Hoge can get back on English by asserting he’s played better golf the last year or so than English. Hoge broke through for his first PGA Tour victory last year at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Hoge also won the 2022 QBE Shootout alongside Sahith Theegala. A win at a similarly formatted event like the Zurich Classic of New Orleans could be a good harbinger.

The 33-year-old Hoge has been flushing it. He’s second on the PGA Tour in strokes gained per round on approach (1.123).

He took T-3rd at the Players Championship with a scorching 10-under 62 in round three. That type of birdie-making is valuable in best ball.

Harris English has battled injuries in recent years but appears to be working his way back into form. The 33-year-old has made three of his last four stroke play cuts, including taking T-2nd at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

English is plenty familiar with team events. He’s won the QBE Shootout three times with Matt Kuchar.

This is English’s first start at TPC Louisiana since missing the cut with Johnson Wagner in 2019. Hoge MC’d last year with fellow former TCU Horned Frog, Paul Barjon.