– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 2:41 pm
2017 PGA Zurich Classic Prediction and Picks
Ready to bet this weeks on the 2017 PGA Zurich Classic Odds? The PGA pros head to Louisiana this week to play the 2017 Zurich Classic and its new format. Two man teams have been assembled to play alternate shot in Rounds 1 and 3 and four ball in Rounds 2 and 4. Like the Ryder and President’s Cup it should be fan friendly and a tad difficult to handicap.
2017 Zurich Classic
When: April 27-30, 2017
Where: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana
Purse: $7,100,000
Defending Champion: Brian Stuard
TV Coverage: Golf Channel
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TPC Louisiana will host the pros on its 7,425 yard, par 72 track – one that typically has been one of the easier that the pros play each year. Average-sized greens, a myriad of bunkers and just a bit of water will be in play for the contenders this week – length would seem to be an asset but a look at years past show that accuracy trumps distance.
GIR and scrambling stats are also stats to look at ahead of this week. As always, a hot putter will go a long way this week as well.
So with all of that in mind who which team should we keep an extra eye on this week in this unique format? Let’s take a look.
2017 Zurich Classic Favorites:
Day/Fowler 6/1
This will probably be the most followed group in the tournament – two Studs with something to prove.
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Day should be refocused after his mom’s recent health issues – he returns to a track that he has finished inside the top 5 the last two years to play with Fowler who has finished inside the top 16 six straight times on TOUR.
We know that Ricky will be solid – if Day can find his form on a track he has had some success, these are your winners – that’s IF Day can raise the level of his recent game.
Rose/Stenson 13/2
Two Major Champions and Ryder Cup teammates come together as part of one of the best teams in the event. Stenson has missed three straight cuts however inexplicably but Rose is on fire including at playoff loss at Augusta a couple of weeks ago.
Rose has won on this track in the past (2015) – he also has three other top 15s here the last five years. Stenson is the X-factor here – Rose will do his part.
Palmer/Spieth 10/1
Two Texans team up – one is a two-time Major champ and the other is a solid Pro with not quite the résumé.
Spieth has been typically solid and Palmer has finished inside the top 15 in his last two starts – a T11 at the RBC Heritage and a T6 last week at the Valero Texas Open. Palmer is the guy with experience on this track – he finished T4 here in 2012.
Their games should pair together well – each can get Hot and each has the all-around game to make some noise.
2017 Zurich Classic Contenders:
Berger/Pieters 14/1
Two youngsters try to make some noise this week – Berger won last year’s St. Jude Classic and Pieters is a three-time winner on the European Tour.
Both are playing well at the moment – Pieters finished T4 most recently at the Masters – his third top 5 finish in his last six starts while Berger was a solo fifth at the Shell Houston Open a few weeks ago.
Berger has a pair of top 20s on this track including a T6 on 2015 as well. These young guns have been solid and could be in the mix this week.
Grace/Oosthuizen 15/1
Each of these South Africans is making their tournament debut here but this format is something they have had success with – they were a pairing that went 4-0 together at the 2015 President’s Cup.
Grace is now a fixture on the world scene – he has top five finishes in four Majors the last couple of years – he has finished inside the top 11 in his last two events overall. Oosthuizen hasn’t been great this year but you have to love his affinity for this type of format and his overall experience.
These two love playing together – chemistry could carry them a long way this week.
Matsuyama/Tanihara 25/1
Japanese duo will be out to represent their country with pride.
Matsuyama has fallen off a tad (although he was T11 at the Masters) after an incredible start to the season and Tanihara showed some serious chops with a nice solo fourth place finish at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play last month.
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Their games seem to be the perfect marriage – Matsuyama’s tee-to-green game is elite and Tanihara’s putter is something to watch out for indeed. Call it a hunch but I think Team Japan does well here!
2017 Zurich Classic Sleepers (+5000 or higher):
Dufner/Kizzire 65/1
Two players in good recent form team up to be one of the better under-the-radar pairings of the tournament.
Duf has been steady as ever – six top 25s in his last eight starts overall including a T11 at the RBC Heritage while Kizzire was also decent at the RBC – he also finished T8 on this track last year and Dufner won this event in 2012.
Experience on this track and decent recent form have Dufner and Kizzire on my radar for sure.
DeLaet/Hearn 85/1
Canadian pair has each shown flashes but have yet to win on TOUR – this may be their best chance to break through. DeLaet enters off a T6 at the RBC Heritage where his all-around game was terrific – something that will definitely help this week.
Graham also has a decent track record here including a T4 in 2012. Hearn hasn’t been great on TOUR but he has made the cut here all six times he’s played with four top 25s over that span.
Victory is coming sooner than later for these guys – why not on a track they’ve had some success?
2017 Zurich Classic Picks:
It’s pretty hard to not go with one of the top dogs in this tournament – so I’m not! Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson at 13/2 are my pick. Europeans live for this type of event. Course history, team success and Major Championship victories are all on their side as well.
The sleeper this week is the team of Graham DeLaet and David Hearn at 85/1. They had some recent success in the President’s Cup, each have a well-suited game for this track and each are overdue for a win on TOUR.
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
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