2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Odds, Picks & Predictions
Alright, I have officially learned my lesson. Scottie Scheffler is not to be trifled with, no matter how short his odds are. Last week would have been a total loss, if not for a YOLO live bet on Thursday the moment Scheffler carded a double bogey to slip to one over par after a few holes. I put 20 bucks on him to win outright at +1100. Those $220 earned me a small profit on what was a narrow miss on three other placement bets. Thanks, champ. Now go change some diapers for a few weeks and let someone else emerge from the shadow of your eclipse.
Where I was somewhat conservative on the betting slip at last week’s RBC Heritage, I’m going to be in full hermit mode for this week’s crapshoot. The Zurich Classic of New Orleans just isn’t my cup of tea when it comes to wagering with any semblance of confidence. Team golf creates a randomness that never instills good vibes in the betting community. Sometimes the favorites win, while other times it’s a pair of golfers who haven’t played well individually in years. There are still some indicators to lean on so I won’t completely sit out.
2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Odds, Picks & Predictions
(Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
TPC Louisiana is even less inspiring as a Pete Dye design than Harbour Town last week. The par-72 track is just above Tour average at 7,400 yards and change. This shapes up to be a scoring frenzy, especially on Thursday and Saturday when the pairs do best ball format. On Friday and Sunday, alternate shot calls for a focus on teams with complementing styles and strong execution and shot-making. An important note, the odds have swung wildly since the lines opened. I haven’t the foggiest idea whether my picks will maintain value by the time your eyes meet this page. I guess you could say it’s a pretty good week to cool your jets and play for fun with less risk. Live to save bankroll for events with better edges. Ladle yourself a big bowl of gumbo and let’s tee off.
Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
One of the most decorated Ryder Cup duos of all time also took down the Zurich Classic two years ago. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay are longtime friends and each stellar golfers in their own right. They should win this thing every year, but couldn’t cash in on their scoring opportunities last year. Cantlay and Schauffele are simply masterful in the two-ball (alternate shot) format. With how well they always play together, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they took this trophy back to Southern California in a dominant display of complementary team golf.
Picks: Outright +400 [1u]; Top-5 +105 [1u]
Collin Morikawa/Kurt Kitayama
Collin Morikawa merely played his college golf in Northern California, while Kurt Kitayama grew up here. I think they make a great team. Kitayama’s driving distance and around the green game will complement the stellar ball-striking we’ve become accustomed to seeing from Morikawa. This team will not beat themselves and have a great chance to go on a scoring tear that leaves the rest of the field in the dust.
Picks: Outright +1100 [0.5u]; Top-10 +110 [0.5u]
Doug Ghim/Chan Kim
You might call the tandem of Chan Kim and Doug Ghim volatile. I call them exciting. Ghim and Kim are both very aggressive golfers who make a ton of birdies. That’s what I’m looking for this week, while also hoping they aren’t tripped up too badly during alternate shot play. Both annihilate par-5 holes and can get hot at any moment. 2024 has been successful for each of them and now they can rise to the occasion and pop up on the main stage like Davis Riley and Nick Hardy did last year at this event.
Picks: Outright +4000 [0.25u]; Top-10 +360 [0.5u]
Deep Shots: Aldrich Potgieter/Thriston Lawrence
Remember the name Aldrich Potgieter. Somehow, the portly young lad from South Africa’s name sounds like what he looks like. He is an absolute bomber and took home a win in the Bahamas last January on the Korn Ferry Tour. His playing partner, Thriston Lawrence, is also from South Africa and has looked impressive on the DP World Tour with four top-10 finishes this season. Potgieter is only 19 years old and Lawrence is 27. They are a really fun duo to watch attempt to make the top-33 and ties to see the weekend.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: