PGA TOUR: Mike Glasscott's Zurich Classic of New Orleans preview

Mike Glasscott Updated: 26 Apr 23 12:28

80 two-man teams will take on TPC Louisiana in a bid to secure glory at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans.

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (3/1) are massive favourites with bet365 this week in The Big Easy and it's easy to see why.

Both have been on point on their own ball over the last month and they set the tournament scoring record last year. Their total of 29-under included going wire-to-wire and posting 27 birdies and three eagles against just four bogeys.

Rarely do golf tournaments end before they begin, so let's take a look at others who could knock off the Southern California superstars.

Speaking of Cal superstars, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa (8/1) both attended the University of California, known as "Cal" in the States, but not as teammates. The LA-born-and-bred stars should pose a threat. Homa has already won twice this season and Morikawa has posted three top 10 paydays in his last eight on TOUR.

Sungjae Im and Keith Mitchell (12/1) both feast tee to green and can make birdies for fun. The first year of their partnership will produce plenty of fairways and greens, and that is the best formula for circling birdies. Mitchell is the man in quiet form at the moment, but a dose of Im and his penchant to make birdies should spark his game to life.

If the Hollywood stars from the Golden State stumble, I'm going to lean on the Korean partnership from the Presidents Cup. Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim (12/1) have already knocked off Cantlay and Schauffele in Fourballs on Saturday in last year's event. Although they're not playing heads-up this time around, they won't be intimidated if they're near each other at the top of the board. Si Woo Kim has conquered Pete Dye at each TPC Stadium Course on each coast in his career. Tom Kim won at Greensboro (-20) and Las Vegas (-24) and was also T6 (-23) at The American Express earlier this year.

The most interesting number from the five best teams belongs to the 2013 individual winner and 2018 team champion Billy Horschel - paired with Sam Burns at 14/1. The duo lost by just two shots last year as Cantlay and Schauffele set the tournament record total and Fourballs record (59). After T4 in 2021, they should have the game plan to kick down the door in Burns', a Louisiana State University grad, backyard. He's the hotter of the two with a victory in Match Play two weeks before the Masters. I love a course horse partnership with relative value!

Sahith Theegala and Justin Suh (20/1) are an interesting duo. Theegala's red-hot form and Suh's consistency can make this number stretch, although neither has won on TOUR. Another pair of California kids, Theegala cashed T5 last week after solo ninth at the Masters, while Suh has played the weekend in 14 of 15 this season with his recent best T6 at TPC Sawgrass.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans odds

Others to consider:

Canadians Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor (33/1)

Danish duo Thorbjorn Olesen and Nicolai Hojgaard (40/1)

Englishmen Matt Wallace and Callum Shinkwin (66/1)

It's not the Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup, but the pride of representing the home country adds an extra level of seriousness.

Stats Matter:

SG: Tee to Green:

Rank:	Player:
4	Collin Morikawa
6	Patrick Cantlay
9	Xander Schauffele
10	Sungjae Im
12	Max Homa
16	Tom Kim
25	Si Woo Kim
26	Joel Dahmen
27	Wyndham Clark

There's nothing better in a team game than watching your partner paint the sprinkler line or stuff a wedge tight. It's hard to rely on hot putters over 72 holes, regardless of format.

Bogey Avoidance:

Rank:	Player:
4	Tom Kim
8	Patrick Cantlay
9	JJ Spaun
10	Matt Fitzpatrick
11	Sungjae Im
14	Thomas Detry
15	Xander Schauffele
17	Denny McCarthy
19	Collin Morikawa

Don't make any just like the winning team did on debut in 2017!

Since then, the record total bogeys recorded for winning teams has been four (doubles included). Grinding out pars when the situation calls for it works, especially in Foursomes (alternate shot). Not every hole is a birdie chance, so making par and getting out works.

Par-Breakers:

Rank	Player
2	Patrick Cantlay
5	Max Homa
6	Tom Hoge
7	Taylor Montgomery
13	Akshay Bhatia
14	Sungjae Im
16	Sam Ryder
17	Collin Morikawa
17	Sahith Theegala

The first and third rounds are better ball (Fourballs). The reigning champs posted 25-under on this format (59-60) last year to set the round record and tie the old record.

This is NOT the US Open of partner games. The average total for winning teams is approaching 25-under par. The top 17 teams in 2022 were 20-under or better.