2023 Zurich Classic First Round Leader Predictions, Picks: Can Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay Start Fast?
The PGA Tour heads to Lousiana for the Zurich Classic, a team event that’s one of the most unique events. The defending champions, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffle. Johnny Covers takes a closer look at a few teams that could start fast.
Johnny Covers - April 19, 2023, 9:20 AM EDT
5 min2023 Zurich Classic First Round Leader Predictions, Picks: Can Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay Start Fast?
For the sixth year in a row, the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic, a team event that’s one of the most unique on Tour all season long. The defending champions are back this year, as Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffle make their return as the currently ranked No. 4 and No. 5 golfers on the planet.
In addition to being a team event, this event is unique as it offers a different format than most weeks, with rounds one and three being a four-ball, while rounds two and four are alternate shot formats.
Coming in at just over 7,400 yards, TPC Lousiana is known for its length but also demands accuracy as the course is littered with thick rough, and dense bunkers. In what is starting to become a trend, the weather will also be a factor this week, as rain is expected throughout the weekend in New Orleans. With wind gusts as high as 25 mph in the forecast as well, players who can navigate wind should be strongly considered this week.
With an average score of -25 for the winning team in the past five editions, expect plenty of darts to be thrown this weekend in and around these immaculate greens. Let’s take a closer look at three teams I think could get off to a hot start.
Zurich Classic of New Orleans Start Time and Where to Watch
- Dates: April 20 - April 23, 2023
- Where: TPC Louisiana - Avondale, LA
- Where to Watch: Golf Channel, CBS, ESPN+, Paramount+
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans First Round Leader Predictions
Xander Schauffele / Patrick Cantlay (+1000) Bet $100 to collect $1,100 DraftKings has the best odds; click here to bet
The +300 price tag is too short for my blood, but I do think there’s some value in these two getting off to a hot start. Finishing 3 and 4, respectively, last week at the RBC Heritage, this duo is a cut above the rest of the field, and I think that talent shows through early.
Winning here last year as they ran away with the event on Sunday; neither has a win yet this season and are well overdue with how well they’ve both been playing. With a combined 12 top 10s this season between them, I like for a hot start from the defending champs.
Sam Burns/Billy Horschel (+2200) Bet $100 to collect $2,300 DraftKings has the best odds; click here to bet
Finishing runner up here last year, that was beginning for quite the run for Burns, who competed for the rest of the season, culminating in a win a few weeks ago in a stacked field in Austin. As for Horschel, he has a win here in 2018 and seems to love this event every year.
Sahith Theegala/Justin Suh (+2500) Bet $100 to collect $2,600 DraftKings has the best odds; click here to bet
Theegala is slowly becoming one of the best young players on Tour yet to break through, coming into the week with a pair of top 10 finishes at The Masters and RBC Heritage. Suh is flying under the radar as well, with a pair of top 10s in his own right this season.
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans First Round Leader Picks
- Xander Schauffele / Patrick Cantlay (+1000) Bet $100 to collect $1,100
- Sam Burns/Billy Horschel (+2200) Bet $100 to collect $2,300
- Sahith Theegala/Justin Suh (+2500) Bet $100 to collect $2,600
Golf Odds
- Can Schauffele and Cantlay be the first round leaders? Check out Zurich Classic first round leader odds
- Can Jon Rahm win the first two majors of the year? The latest PGA Championship odds favor him
- 2023 US Open odds are available here
- The Open is the only major championship Jon Rahm isn't favored to win in 2023. Check out the latest odds from The Open to see who is the favorite at Royal Liverpool
