Guide to Wagering on the Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Top Bets, Advice, and Additional Information

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans presents a challenge that can be complex to navigate.

This event is the PGA Tour’s sole official team competition, featuring 80 pairs of players competing over four rounds at TPC Louisiana. The tournament employs alternating formats each day, with Four-ball (Best Ball) played in Rounds 1 and 3, and Foursomes (Alternate Shot) in Rounds 2 and 4.

One can focus on the top two players in the field and place bets accordingly. This approach leads to the Fitzpatrick brothers at +1175, which seems promising, especially with Matt coming off his second victory of the season.

However, TPC Louisiana presents a unique setup. Similar skill sets do not usually prevail in this format. Two exceptional ball strikers with average putting skills may seem appealing until you observe them struggling through four-ball rounds, creating birdie opportunities that go unconverted.

The course is forgiving off the tee and around the greens, making approach play and par 5 performance crucial. What distinguishes the contenders is having one player who generates opportunities and another who capitalizes on them.

This week, I am opting for a limited card, with one pairing standing out prominently.

Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook (with ties) and subject to change.

Best bets

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Ryan Gerard and Sudarshan Yellamaraju: Both Top 5 +320 and To win +1750

This pairing is structured precisely for this format. Gerard ranks 12th in strokes gained on approach, while Yellamaraju is in the top 15 for par 5 scoring and putts made from 10-15 feet (advantageous on these expansive greens). One player attacks the course, while the other finishes the job, with neither losing strokes in critical areas.

These odds appear to be mispriced. The Fitzpatricks attract attention due to their name and Matt’s recent performance, with two wins in the last three events. Gerard and Yellamaraju offer a more favorable number due to their compatibility with the course.

How to play it: Top 5 is a moderate-unit wager, while the win bet is worth a small investment. This is the only pairing on the board where both the profile and the odds align positively.

Creating a successful betting card week after week is already a challenge. In a PGA event with paired formats, the margin for error narrows further. Hence, I am placing my trust in this one pair.

That said, here are the other pairings I considered and the reasons for my decision to pass.

Alex Fitzpatrick + Matt Fitzpatrick

Full odds:

• Top 10 +100

• Top 5 +210

• To win +1175

Backing the favorites in such a chaotic format is not appealing. Two top ball strikers who struggle with putting present a significant issue when the course provides numerous birdie opportunities, necessitating someone to convert them. A Top 10 finish is uncertain, and while the Top 5 line is intriguing, it is not compelling enough for me to take action.

Keith Mitchell + Brandt Snedeker

Full odds:

• Top 20 -114

• Top 10 +230

• Top 5 +510

• To win +3500

This duo made my long list because +3500 appears attractive as a textbook complementary pair on paper. Mitchell ranks in the top 20 off the tee and on approach, while Snedeker excels around the greens and in putting. However, Mitchell’s 105th ranking in putting could hinder the team, and Snedeker’s recent form raises concerns, with several missed cuts lately. The short game potential is valid, but the ball striking reliability is too low.

The overall concept is sound: Mitchell strikes the ball well, and Snedeker puts effectively, but Snedeker’s inability to perform as an iron player in alternate shot rounds is a concern. The pair’s profiles theoretically align, but I worry about the execution risk.

Max McGreevy + Kevin Roy

Full odds:

• Top 20 -110

• Top 10 +240

• Top 5 +530

• To win +3700

McGreevy is well-suited for the course, and +3700 is an appealing number, making them an underrated pairing. McGreevy ranks in the top 20 for approach and par 5 scoring, which is exactly what this course rewards. Roy is in the top 35 around the greens and in putting, which is adequate as a supporting player. The drawback is Roy’s 102nd ranking in approach, a significant liability in alternate shot scenarios. When it is his turn to hit the irons, the pairing could falter. They present an interesting value but have a clear weakness that could still contend for a Top 20, though they would require assistance to secure a Top 10 or better.

Final thoughts

Top 20s (with ties) are available, but I am not inclined to take risks in a tournament where the format shifts in a paired event. There are simply too many potential pitfalls. If Gerard and Yellamaraju perform well, that’s excellent. If they do not, the calculations were never indicating anything more than a carefully considered small wager, which aligns with the principles of betting.