The Zurich Classic will be in the spotlight this week as the PGA Tour winds its way over to Louisiana.
Comprising the lone two-team tournament on the circuit, the intriguing aspect of this event is how the collaborations are formed.
Indeed, three pairs of brothers have teamed up, including Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick, and there is a distinct element of camaraderie with the pairings.
This is encompassed by the fact that Rory McIlroy has joined forces with his good pal Shane Lowry, and he will be making his debut at the tournament.
However, McIlroy, who is the world No.2, has had some mixed results this season and is struggling to capture his best form, only hitting the top 10 once.
In terms of format, a field of 80 two-man teams will be cut to the top 33 teams and ties after 36 holes, and the final two rounds will be a Fourball followed by Foursomes.
A very generous prize purse of roughly £8 million is up for grabs, and the winners will snaffle 400 FedEx Cup points.
The Zurich Classic should make for a good watch, but how will things unfold? I have unearthed a couple of value betting tips for you to consider ahead of the first tee.
Sahith Theegala & Will Zalatoris to take the glory in the Big Easy
While this will be the first time that Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris will be teaming up at the Zurich Classic, there is plenty to be admired about this dynamic twosome.
Both have had moderate levels of success, and in 2022, Zalatoris partnered with Davis Riley to share fourth spot.
Theegala, on the other hand, may have missed the cut two years ago, but he had the better of things last year alongside Justin Suh.
Two of the biggest gunslingers on the Tour, Theegala is coming off the back of a runner-up finish at the RBC Heritage, TPC Louisiana is far from the most challenging track, and it is a stock par-72 stretching 7.245 yards.
Zalatoris has posted three top-10 finishes in his last six starts, and I fancy him and Theegala to go well this week.
Indeed, for my first pick, I’m going to go with Theegala and Zalatoris to land the title and Paddy Power is pricing the pair at a juicy-looking 8/1 to do so.
Patrick Cantlay & Xander Schauffele to make hay in Round 1
Despite finishing T4 last year, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will have a target on their backs.
The 2022 champions, who will be partnering for the fourth consecutive season, are looking to be the first duo to win the event twice.
They have a proven track record, and they already hold the record for the lowest Fourball performance at this event (59; Round 1, 2022).
Although they may come up short in their quest to land the title this time, Cantlay and Schauffele may get off to a barnstorming start in New Orleans.
To wrap things up, I have a hunch Cantlay and Schauffele could lead the pack after Round 1, and they are trading at a short but eye-catching 11/1 with bet365.
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