Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Rory McIlroy will be the center of attention when he tees up in this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, fresh from completing the career Grand Slam.

McIlroy won the Masters at Augusta the week before last, then jetted home to Northern Ireland to celebrate his victory. He has returned to the States looking to defend his Zurich Classic pairs title alongside his good friend Shane Lowry.

McIlroy and Lowry teed up together in the Zurich for the first time last year and claimed the trophy after winning a playoff. They can be supported at +400 to retain their title. Whether McIlroy will have enough energy and focus for the task is open to question.

Collin Morikawa, the world number four, joins forces with Kurt Kitayama for the Zurich. The American duo are available at +1500 for Zurich glory. The action starts on Thursday with the opening best-ball session.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans betting tips and predictions

Tom Hoge/Billy Horschel to win (+2200)

The all-American pairing of Tom Hoge and Billy Horschel looks extremely dangerous this week. Both men have a great record in pairs competition. Hoge won the 2022 QBE Shootout alongside Sahith Theegala, while Horschel won the Zurich with Scott Piercy four years prior.

Horschel has a terrific record at this week's venue, TPC Louisiana. His maiden PGA Tour title came at the track in the 2013 Zurich.

The tournament became a pairs event in 2017 and the Floridian quickly made an impact. He was fourth in the 2021 Zurich alongside Sam Burns, then second with the same partner in 2022.

Hoge boasts PGA Tour form figures of 3-5-14-18, and Horschel finished fourth in the Valspar Championship a month ago. Hoge's accurate iron-play and Horschel's clutch putting should mean they are in the thick of things throughout the tournament in New Orleans.

Nicolai Hojgaard/Rasmus Hojgaard to win (+3000)

The Hojgaard twins could prove a dangerous partnership this year, as they bid to show off their Ryder Cup credentials to European captain Luke Donald.

Nicolai Hojgaard made his Ryder Cup debut in the last match and Rasmus is eager to follow in his brother's footsteps.

They both play the game in a similar way and they both use the same type of golf ball, which is an important point to consider in the Zurich Classic. Rounds two and four of the Zurich are alternate-shot, so players take turns to play the same ball.

The Hojgaards, who live together in South Florida, should become PGA Tour champions in individual competition in the near future. This week seems a golden chance to make a Stateside breakthrough together.

Doug Ghim/Chan Kim top five (+750)

Greens-in-regulation machine Doug Ghim has an ideal partner in the attacking Chan Kim - and this duo appear to be underrated in the Zurich markets. There seems every chance of the Ghim-Kim alliance securing a top-five finish.

Ghim finished 18th in the Texas Open last time out, while Kim finished fifth in that event before seventh place in the Corales Puntacana Championship. The pairing may have found form at the perfect time to make an impact in the Zurich.

Ghim finished 11th alongside Justin Suh on his Zurich debut in 2021, then joined forces with Kim last year for 28th spot. They can build on the understanding gained last year and end this week on the leaderboard.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans odds

McIlroy/Lowry	+400
Morikawa/Kitayama	+1500
Poston/Mitchell	+1700
Detry/MacIntyre	+1900
Hoge/Horschel	+2200
Moore/Clark	+2400
Rai/Theegala	+2400
Novak/Griffin	+2400

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.