Picks to Win & Best Bets for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans

It’s been a stressful couple of weeks. A major championship and signature event back-to-back is an absolute grind. But this week should be a good time.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a great opportunity for the best players in the world to let their hair down a bit, enjoy the laid-back environment and amazing food, and tee it up alongside a good buddy.

This week, two-man teams will compete in a best-ball format on Thursday and Saturday and alternate shot on Friday and Sunday. Last year, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry teamed up to take down Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer in a playoff. To say the Irish boys had a good time might be an understatement.

They’re back this year to defend their title and are joined in the field by Collin Morikawa/Kurt Kitayama, Nicolai Hojgaard/Rasmus Hojgaard, Wyndham Clark/Taylor Moore, and Sahith Theegala/Aaron Rai, among others.

The big question for the week: Will Rory have his Green Jacket in tow? Imagine taking that bad boy to Bourbon Street.

Let’s pick a winner, folks.

Golf Course & Course History

TPC Louisiana | Par 72 | 7,425 yards | Pete Dye design

Odds to Win the Zurich Classic

Shane Lowry / Rory McIlroy (+360)

Collin Morikawa / Kurt Kitayama (+1200)

Thomas Detry / Robert MacIntyre (+1800)

J.T. Poston / Keith Mitchell (+1800)

Taylor Moore / Wyndham Clark (+2200)

Andrew Novak / Ben Griffin (+2200)

Aaron Rai / Sahith Theegala (+2500)

Rasmus Hojgaard / Nicolai Hojgaard (+2800)

Billy Horschel / Tom Hoge (+2800)

Max Greyserman / Nico Echavarria (+3300)

Akshay Bhatia / Carson Young (+3500)

Picks to Win the Zurich Classic

J.T. Poston and Keith Mitchell (18/1)

Photo: Getty Images

Poston has been the model of consistency this season, making it to the weekend in 11 of 12 starts and finishing inside the top 25 three times. Mitchell has five top-25 finishes in 10 starts this season and is coming off a silver medal at the Corales Puntacana Championship. He’s been the best Thursday golfer on TOUR, now he needs to keep it up for four days. On top of their good play this year, I just love this team. Flushers, laid-back, effortlessly cool. Let’s get a W.

Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge (28/1)

Photo: Getty Images

Before missing the cut here last year, Billy Ho finished T-11 in 2023, 2nd in 2022, and T-4 in 2021. Oh, and he won it with Scott Piercy in 2018. So I think the Gator likes the place. And this year, he’s partnering with a man that enters the Zurich with four straight top-20 finishes. Mr. Hoge tied for third at THE PLAYERS, for fifth at the Valero Texas Open, for 14th at the Masters, and for 18th at the RBC Heritage. Taking a team with both good course history and good form feels like a good idea.