Blog#236 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Blog#236 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

TPC Lousiiana Avondale LA

April 17-20, 2025 Par 72

Purse $9M up $100K+ 1%

HISTORY

This is the 8th year for this format similar to Ryder Cup but with 2 man teams. In my opinion it is more of an exhibition than a true PGA event. However the players seem to love the team concept as a change for the individual grind and they have point.

But you can see by the field most of the top players have taken the week off.

I think it is impossible to pick a winner so I will just give the teams that I think can win and some of my favorites.

TEAMS PREVIEW

1 Rasmus Hojgaard/Nicolai Hojgaard(28/1) Both play on the PGA tour;

Rasmus 0 wins 0 top 10,s #104 FedX Cup. He has 5 wins on the DP tour.

Nicolai was 0-2-1 in the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. PGA 0 wins 1 top 10 #116 FedX.

While their resumes are not great, both are good young golfers and with their chemistry they have as good a chance to win as anyone.

2 Colin Morikawa/Kurt Kitayama(12/1) Morikawa is one of the better players in the game with 2 majors, but he has also given away a few tournaments, a lot due to poor putting. Kitayama has only 1 PGA win, the Arnold Palmer in 2023. In 2025 0 wins and

0 top 10’s #152 FedX. Not very impressive but if Colin is on his approach game and Kitayama can putt they could win.

3 Andrew Novak/Ben Griffin(22/1) Both players trending upward.

Novak played outstanding golf last week but missed a makable long putt on 18 to win and on playoff hole, loses opportunity for his 1st PGA win.

Griffin 0 wins 3 top 10s #47 FedX, blew 3 stroke lead at 2023 Sanderson for 1st PGA win.

4 Shane Lowry/Rory McIlroy(4/1) They are the favorite to repeat which no one has done.

I think this is just a fun few RDs together and winning is not the objective. Their focus will be on the PGA Championship in 4 weeks and THE OPEN July 14th at Royal Portrush N. Ireland.

5 Harry Higgs/Joel Dehman(70/1) Little chance to win, 2 of the nicest players on tour.

Higgs best tourmanent this year, #26 at Puerto Rico Open.

Dehman Last week lost a 3 stroke lead with 3 to play at Corales, bogies on last 3 holes.

TEAM RESULTS

Round 1

1 Isaiah Salinda/Kevin Velo At 100/1 I can’t see them winning

2 Hojgaard/Hojgaard My pick to win, odds now 5/1.

3 Morikawa/Kitanaya My 2nd pick to win, odds now 6/1.

7 Novak/Griffin My #3 pick, new odds 14/1. Novak played well enough to win.

25 McIlroy/Lowry They are ready to go home for the weekend and wait for the next month.

45 Higgs/Dehman May make the weekend , but best finish would be top 10.