2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Louisiana

Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama are both past Zurich Classic of New Orleans participants, but this is the first time they’ve teamed up.

Morikawa is the clear headliner of the two, but both have game.

We’ll start with the two-time major champion. Morikawa comes to TPC Louisiana riding strong form of late in the southeast U.S.

Morikawa nearly completed the third leg of the career Grand Slam at the Masters where he was in contention en route to T-3rd. Of course, Scottie Scheffler happened, meaning Morikawa and company’s efforts were ultimately futile.

Morikawa won last fall at the ZOZO Championship and has five top-20s thus far in 2024. He ranks 32nd in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (.612).

Kitayama would love to trade his resume for Morikawa’s but one bragging right he owns is his result at the 2023 Zurich where he and Taylor Montgomery were in the money finishing T-19th while Morikawa and Max Homa went home early.

Kitayama burst onto the scene last year winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He’s yet to find the winner’s circle since, but the former UNLV Runnin’ Rebel has played steadily in 2024.

Kitayama has finished outside the top 40 just once this year with three top-25s, including T-8th at the WM Phoenix Open.

The 31-year-old is 25th on the PGA Tour in SG: Off-the-Tee (.404) and 26th in SG: Tee-to-green (.75). These two aren’t world-class putters, but they could just as well ball strike their way to a victory.

The two Californians both seem to be easygoing dudes who should be able to mesh well as a new team.