The Zurich Classic is a two man stroke play team event and the players tee up at the TPC Louisiana from Thursday this week.
Format
Days 1 and 3 feature 4-balls (best ball) and days 2 and 4 involves foursomes which sees players hitting alternate shots.
TPC Louisiana is a par 72 layout that gives up plenty of birdies which is ideal for this format. The pros should have no problems in going low and a winning score of close to -30 can be expected.
The field continues to get stronger each year a sign the golfers enjoy the format and this week the Hovland/Morikawa combination top the betting boards at 8/1 ahead of Cantlay/Schauffele at 9/1. Defending champs Leishman and Smith are 10/1 and you can get 12/1 and better the balance. Bezuidenhout and Schwartzel form an all South African pairing and are priced at 66/1.
Past Winners
Team Event
2021- Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith -20*
2020- Event Cancelled
2019 - John Rahm and Ryan Palmer -26
2018 - Billy Horschel & Scott Piercy -22
2017 - Jonas Blixt & Cameron Smith -27 *
Playoff*
Betting – click here to bet
Hovland/Morikawa 8/1
Cantlay/Schauffele 9/1
Leishman/Smith 10/1
Burns/Horschel 12/1
Palmer/Scheffler 12/1
Fleetwood/Garcia 18/1
22/1 and better the balance, prices correct at the time of posting but subject to change.
Selections
This is not an event I get too involved in but I enjoy watching and so always have a betting interest. I have selected 3 pairings to take on the bookies.
Fleetwood and Garcia each way at 18/1
Both of these players have been in reasonable form of late with Fleetwood finishing Top 15 and Garcia top 25 in the US Masters. Fleetwood went on to finish Top 10 last week and the pair have course form as well finishing runner-up in 2019. They are both known exponents of Match Play with proud Ryder Cup records. They are my headline selection this week.
Hatton and Willett each way at 40/1
Both Hatton and Willett made the cut last week without really threatening and the week before Willett finished just outside the Top 10 in the US Masters while Hatton faded to finish outside the Top 50. Prior to that though Hatton had some very solid form with a Top 10 and a Top 5 finish in the last 7 weeks. The pair finished 8th last year and I have a feeling that Willett is playing better golf this time around and the pair can go close.
Bezuidenhout and Schwartzel each way at 66/1
Schwartzel showed great form in the US Masters finishing 10th after a fast start, Bezuidenhout made the cut finishing 44th. Last week Schwartzel disappointed with a finish outside the Top 50, but South African players enjoy their Match Play and I can’t resist including them this week at what looks an attractive price. Bezuidenhout makes his debut in this event, but Schwartzel does have a runner-up finish last year and a Top 3 finish back in 2018.
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