Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tips

Previews and pre-event analysis from Golf Betting System's PGA Tour and European Tour coverage

Betting Preview - 2014 Zurich Classic Of New Orleans

To read Steve Bamford's Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tips for 2014 click here. Follow Steve on twitter: @bamfordgolf

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has a heritage that goes back to before the 2nd World War and the PGA Tour always enjoys it's week in the 'The Big Easy.' TPC Louisiana has hosted the Zurich Classic almost exclusively since 2005 and the Pete Dye design is a long Par 72 where low scoring is an absolute pre-requisite. Expect sweltering conditions, plenty of eagles and birdies and an exciting finish is always guaranteed here. To read Steve Bamford's Zurich Classic of New Orleans Tips for 2014 click here

Tournament Facts & Scheduling

There are no doubts that the Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a PGA Tour tournament on the up-trend. The quality of field improves year and year, as elite players are become aware of it's familiarities with the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass; home of The Players Championship played a fortnight later in Florida. Although in Louisiana, there are no doubts that TPC Louisiana plays like a Florida resort course with wind a regular feature. In addition to getting players 'match fit' for the wind that they will face at TPC Sawgrass, both courses are Pete Dye creations and it's no coincidence that both courses also feature exactly the same green make-up; Miniverde Bermudagrass overseeded with Poa Trivialis.

RBC Heritage Course Details

TPC Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana. Designer: Pete Dye 2003 Course Type: Although in Louisiana this course plays as a Florida Resort Par: 72 Length: 7,425 yards Water Hazards: 5 Bunkers: 71 Fairways: TifSport Bermudagrass Rough: TifSport Bermudagrass 2" Greens: 5,700 sq.ft average featuring Miniverde Bermudagrass overseeded with Poa Trivialis Stimpmeter: 11ft Scoring Avg 2012: 71.0 Ranked 39 of 49 courses for difficulty on the 2012 PGA Tour 2013: 70.8 Ranked 34 of 43 courses in 2013 for difficulty.

Previous Champions 2013: Billy Horschel; 2012: Jason Dufner; 2011: Bubba Watson; 2010: Jason Bohn; 2009: Jerry Kelly; 2008: Andres Romero; 2007: Nick Watney.

Winners Scores - Post 2009 2013: -19/269; 2012: -19/269; 2011: -15/273; 2010: -18/269; 2009: -14/274. Winners Prices 2013: Horschel - 33/1 2012: Dufner - 28/1 2011: Watson - 28/1 2010: Bohn - 80/1 2009: Kelly - 150/1

Pre-Tournament Key Summary

Shoot low or go home is the mantra at TPC Louisiana. Billy Horschel made 26 birdies on his way to his maiden PGA Tour triumph here last year. That's an impressive 36% hole conversion rate, which allowed the Floridian the luxury of being able to triumph despite shooting a double bogey in his 2nd Round. Indeed that really is a significant point at this Pete Dye designed course as plenty of bunkers; allied to strong winds are a real cocktail for bogeys and worse. Resort scoring tournaments are automatically linked to birdie and better conversion, but its well worth recognising that since 2009 Kelly, Bohn, Watson, Dufner and Horschel haemorrhaged on averaged only 4.2 bogeys per win.

It's also true that the Zurich Classic is one of those tournaments where aspiring pros often break their PGA Tour maiden. Since 2005, Tim Petrovic, Chris Couch, Nick Watney, Andres Romero, Jason Dufner and Billy Horschel all achieved their cherished first titles here in the deep south.

Below we track the results of Golf Betting System PGA Tour tipster Steve Bamford who has been producing weekly tips since 2009. You can also follow him on Twitter @bamfordgolf.

2013

• Nick Watney 1.5pt EW 25/1 RESULT: T15
• Rory Sabbatini 1pt EW 66/1 RESULT: MC
• Chris Kirk 1pt EW 60/1 RESULT: T21
• John Rollins 1pt EW 66/1 RESULT: MC
• Ryan Palmer 1pt EW 70/1 RESULT: T32

2012

• Justin Rose 1.5pt EW 22/1 RESULT: T10
• Jason Dufner 1pt EW 25/1 RESULT: Winner
• John Senden 1pt EW 50/1 RESULT: T39
• Geoff Ogilvy 1pt EW 66/1 RESULT: T45
• Pat Perez 1pt EW 100/1 RESULT: MC