JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
All discussion here...obviously think Justin Rose will be a popular pick here
Zurich Classic Discussion Thread (New Orleans)
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JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
dustin johnson.JPG
Dustin Johnson, ranked seventh in the world, leads the PGA Tour in driving average, something that could help him in this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans. (AP photo)
Trey Iles, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By Trey Iles, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
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on April 21, 2015 at 12:09 PM, updated April 21, 2015 at 3:24 PM
As with most PGA Tour golf events, picking a favorite for the 2015 Zurich Classic of New Orleans is difficult at best. It's impossible from week to week to accurately predict the golfer who will get hot, especially with the putter, and capture a particular event.
But TPC Louisiana does favor a long hitter and perhaps those who aren't necessarily putting lights out. That's because the course is known for having true rolling greens, which levels the playing field some.
It will be interesting to see how weather will affect the outcome of this week's tournament. There will also be a lot of LSU purple and gold on the course, as well as three players ranked in the top 10 in the world.
Here are five things to watch for when play begins Wednesday.
RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY
It's too bad the weather for the tournament can't be like it is Tuesday. It's how you draw it up. Comfortable temperatures in the 70s with low humidity and a pleasant breeze, greeted the players, who got in practice rounds Tuesday. But there is a chance of rain each of the four days of the tournament with Thursday having the highest likelihood of precipitation.
Another wild card will be the wind, which is supposed to pick up Friday-Sunday and come from just about every direction during the three days. It'll start from the southeast, move to the west-southwest then the northwest. Getting a handle on that could be tough for the players.
BIG HITTERS WELCOME
TPC Louisiana will play around 7,400 yards this week but it may feel longer because of last week's - and perhaps this week's - rain. The course, which got nine inches of rain last week, handled the frog-strangling weather well. TPC Louisiana is green and lush and will have significant rough (1.75 to 2 inches) this week. But tee shots likely won't run out the way they would if the course hadn't had all that rain last week. So players like Dustin Johnson and Jason Day, Nos. 1 and 5 off the tee, could have an advantage because they hit it so long.
The good news is the greens should hold well so attacking the flags could be doable. But that wind may make throwing darts difficult.
THE BIG THREE
Johnson, Day and Justin Rose will likely draw big galleries when they tee off Thursday.
Johnson, ranked seventh in the world and in sixth place in the FedEx Cup standings, has had an outstanding season with five top 10s and a victory at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral near Miami. He's the longest hitter on Tour, averaging more than 315 yards per pop. And he finished tied for sixth at the Masters.
Rose, ninth in the world, hadn't had a great year until the Masters when he finished tied for second with Phil Mickelson. He shot 14-under-par at August National, which normally would have been good enough to win. But Jordan Spieth had that other-worldly 18-under performance.
Day, the tournament's highest-ranked golfer at sixth, shot 67 in the first round of the Masters then struggled the rest of the tournament, finishing tied for 28[SUP]th[/SUP]. Like Johnson, he's long off tee. He also handles the rest of his game well, as he's the PGA Tour's top statistical all-around player.
PURPLE AND GOLD PARADE
This year's Zurich Classic will feature four former LSU golfers, including major winner David Toms, who won the New Orleans Tour stop in 2001 when the tournament was played at English Turn. John Peterson, the 2011 NCAA individual champion, Andrew Loupe and Curtis Thompson are also in the field.
The guy to watch this week could be Peterson. He finished tied for 18[SUP]th[/SUP] at last week's RBC Heritage and led the field in greens in regulation (80 percent). He's made 13 of 14 cuts this season and is playing much better than in 2013-14. If he can roll it well this week, he certainly has a shot, considering how well he's hitting it tee to green. Peterson said earlier this week he likes the greens at TPC Louisiana.
ANOTHER FIRST-TIME WINNER?
The Zurich has gained a reputation for players earning their first Tour victory. Seven of the last 10 Zurich champs, including the last three, Seung-Yul Noh (2014), Billy Horschel (2013) and Jason Dufner (2012), all broke into the win column for the first time at the Zurich.
So could it happen again this year? Certainly.
Two candidates are a pair of rookies, Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger.
Berger, 22 and from Florida State, has three top 10 finishes and eight top 25 placements this season. He lost the Honda Classic in a playoff to Padraig Harrington and is ranked 70[SUP]th[/SUP] in the world.
Thomas, who will turn 22 on April 29 and played at Alabama, is 89[SUP]th[/SUP] in the world with four top 10s and seven top 25 finishes this season. He tied for 11[SUP]th[/SUP] at last week's RBC Heritage where he shared housing accommodations with Spieth.
**************
Trey Iles can be reached at riles@nola.com or 504.826.3405.
Follow @TreyIles1 Tweet to @TreyIles1
© 2015 NOLA.com. All rights reserved.
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
- FANTASY
[h=2]Power Rankings: Zurich Classic of New Orleans[/h]
- April 20, 2015
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM<iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/follow_button.7c0d5c8fc0456a01b74fed2e38018608.en.html#_=1429719975380&dnt=false&id=twitter-widget-0&lang=en&screen_name=RobBoltonGolf&show_count=false&show_screen_name=true&size=m" class="twitter-follow-button twitter-follow-button" title="Twitter Follow Button" data-twttr-rendered="true" style="width: 155px; height: 20px;"></iframe>
- Rickie Fowler's best finish in four Zurich Classic starts is a share of 10th in 2012. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
If you ever host a PGA TOUR event, your expectations for how the stars align must be tempered. Not every week yields the kind of impeccable weather and course conditions that the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, for example, enjoyed in February. It's one tournament that was due climatological perfection.
ZURICH CLASSIC: Field list | First Look | Past winners | FedExCup standings | FANTASY GOLF: Sign up to play | Qualifiers | Rookie rankings
While the Zurich Classic of New Orleans has also dealt with significant weather-related concerns in recent memory -- Hurricane Katrina prevented TPC Louisiana from hosting in 2006 -- and this week's forecast won't match that enjoyed on the Monterey Peninsula, we may be poised to witness the most consistent edition of the 10 contested on the track in Avondale, Louisiana.
For once, the bayou enjoyed a mild winter and early spring. The warmth has fueled favorable growth of the Bermudagrass. With no major modifications to the 7,425-yard par 72, TPC Louisiana should be, finally, presenting the kind of test for which it's been designed.
Arguably best known for sectioned greens with serious undulations, the premium is on the second shot. En route to his breakthrough victory last year, Seung-Yul Noh averaged 14 greens in regulation per round to rank T4 in the field of 156. He also placed fifth in proximity to the hole. But with rough up at least one-quarter of an inch to 1.75 inches -- tournament officials may be able to find a uniform length of two inches by the opening round -- there will be an elevated importance on scrambling. Noh ranked third last year in the stat. He also finished 11th in strokes gained: putting and first in par-4 scoring. That kind of combination works anywhere, but particularly at TPC Louisiana, which gets a deserved opportunity to play as intended.
Of course, make no mistake that it will roll over for low scoring. With four par 5s and pure greens, the talent-rich field should feast on one of the easiest par 72s of the season. It averaged 71.211 last year, which is to be expected as the field averaged over 12 greens in regulation per round.
A reasonable threat for rain and thunderstorms diminishes by the weekend, but warm and muggy conditions will take over. Temperatures will climb into the mid- to upper-80s. A shifting wind throughout may fool newcomers, although only moderate breezes are expected.
[h=3]POWER RANKINGS: ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS
[/h]
[TABLE="class: table-styled power-rankings-table, width: 849"]
<thead class="hidden-small">[TR]
[TH="class: rank, align: center"]RANK
[/TH]
[TH="class: player-photo, align: center"][/TH]
[TH="class: player"]PLAYER
[/TH]
[TH="class: comment"]COMMENT
[/TH]
[/TR]
</thead><tbody>[TR="class: even"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Justin Rose[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]Co-runner-up at Masters was first top 45 this season! Last three trips to TPC Louisiana: T10, T15, T8, respectively; 11 consecutive red numbers.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Dustin Johnson[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]First appearance since missing cut in debut in 2008. Since winning at Doral, T6s at Valero and Masters. Leads TOUR in strokes gained: tee-to-green.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Jason Day[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]First appearance since 2009. Cooled since torrid West Coast Swing, but still a threat to score low. Leads TOUR in the all-around; T1 in par-4 scoring.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Brendan Steele[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]He's perfect in two trips, but hasn't logged a top 30. Hasn't missed a cut in last 16 starts; top 25s in last two. Eighth in the all-around ranking.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]5[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Rickie Fowler[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]Back-doored a T12 at the Masters; 17 consecutive cuts made. Sum greater than parts; currently 38th in the all-around. Shared 10th here in 2012.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]6[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Keegan Bradley[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]Always a moving target but arrives with converging trends. Chased a T5 in Houston with a T22 at the Masters. Personal-best T8 here last year.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]7[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Harris English[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]Possesses all of the tools but seems to lose focus. His stats are more than supportive and he doesn't mind a shootout. T6 in last trip here in 2013.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]8[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]John Peterson[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]The LSU Tiger is 13-for-14 this season with top 20s in last two starts. Currently 53rd in GIR and 28th in scrambling. T8 here in 2013.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]9[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Russell Knox[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]T18 at Harbour Town despite opening 75. Ranks 21st in GIR, eighth in proximity and T6 in par-4 scoring. Threatened early here in 2012 but placed T30.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Brendon de Jonge[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]Top 20s in three of last five starts, including last two. Best finish in six trips to TPC Louisiana was T18 in 2012. Goes low with the best of 'em.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Sean O'Hair[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]The renaissance continued with a solo sixth at Harbour Town where he led the field in par-4 scoring. Success validated his P2 at Copperhead.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]12[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Morgan Hoffmann[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]Tied for ninth at Harbour Town with four sub-70s. Ranks 32nd in strokes gained: putting. He's 2-for-2 at TPC Louisiana with a T21 in 2013.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]13[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Troy Merritt[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]Course-record-tying 61 at Harbour Town on Friday. Led after 36 and 54 holes; placed third. Sixth at Valspar. Solo third at TPC Louisiana in 2010.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]14[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Cameron Tringale[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]A nod to his course history. Three top 20s in last four visits. More recently, tied for 17th at Copperhead and added a T5 in Houston.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD="colspan: 4, align: center"][TABLE="class: table-styled inner-table, width: 848"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: rank"]15[/TD]
[TD="class: player-photo"]
[/TD][TD="class: player, align: left"]Steve Stricker[/TD]
[TD="class: hidden-small comment, align: left"]In first start since back surgery, the 48-year-old placed T28 at the Masters. Sparkling record at TPC Louisiana includes top 15s in last three trips.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
[h=2]EXPERT PICKS: ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS
[/h][TABLE="class: table-styled, width: 850"]
<tbody>[TR="class: odd"]
[TH][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: even"]
[TD="class: expert hidden-small, align: left"]EXPERT
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small, align: left"]FANTASY TEAM
[/TD]
[TD="class: champion hidden-small, align: left"]PROJECTED CHAMPION
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small, align: left"]COMMENT
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TH]
[/TR]
</tbody><tbody>[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Helen Ross
Senior Writer
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Brendan de Jonge
Dustin Johnson
Sean O'Hair
Justin Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Justin
Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Rose enters with momentum after tying for second at the Masters, and he has finished 15th or better in his last three starts at TPC Louisiana. A potent combination, to be sure.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Rob Bolton
Fantasy Columnist
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Keegan Bradley
Dustin Johnson
Justin Rose
Brendan Steele
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Justin
Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]In the absence of a favorite, stick with the chalk. It’s the kind of week to play for the push and hope to get lucky.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Sean Martin
Events Editor
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Jason Day
Harris English
Dustin Johnson
Justin Thomas
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Dustin
Johnson
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]He's finished no worse than sixth in his past three starts, including his win at the Cadillac Championship and a career-best T6 at the Masters.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Jonathan Wall
Equipment Insider
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Jason Day
Dustin Johnson
John Peterson
Justin Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]John
Peterson
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Finished T8 at Zurich in 2013 and has two top-20 finishes in his last two starts. Look for the LSU product to pick up his first TOUR win in his home state.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Fred Albers
PGA TOUR Radio
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Rickie Fowler
Dustin Johnson
Justin Rose
Brendan Steele
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Rickie
Fowler
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Rickie is one of the best "feel" putters on TOUR and he leads the TOUR in scrambling from the fringe at 100 percent. That's right, Rickie is 22-22 from the fringe.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Mike McAllister
Managing Editor
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Dustin Johnson
Troy Merritt
John Peterson
Justin Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Justin
Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Of Rose's 24 career rounds at TPC Louisiana, 18 have been under par, including 11 in the 60s.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]D.J. Piehowski
Digital Producer
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]John Peterson
Justin Rose
Brendan Steele
Justin Thomas
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Justin
Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]After a poor start to the season, things clicked for Rose at Augusta National. He's now headed to TPC Louisiana, where he has been great, finishing top 15 his last three visits.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Brian Wacker
Staff Writer
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Keegan Bradley
Jason Day
Billy Horschel
Dustin Johnson
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Jason
Day
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]He hasn't played in New Orleans since 2009 but was hovering in contention at the Masters. Day's game also suits the lengthy TPC Louisiana well as he is tied for first in par-4 scoring.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Amanda Balionis
Host, Trending on TOUR
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Jason Day
Dustin Johnson
Justin Rose
Steve Stricker
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Dustin
Johnson
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]He's healthy, happy and coming off T6s at Valero and Augusta. Don't ever count out a healthy and happy DJ.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]John Swantek
Host, LIVE@
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Harris English
Kevin Kisner
John Peterson
Justin Thomas
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Harris
English
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Going with a tried and true handicapping strategy; a gut feeling. Some decent course history (T6in '13) but mainly just think his immense talent will be on display.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/h][TABLE="class: table-styled, width: 850"]
<tbody>[TR="class: odd"]
[TH][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: even"]
[TD="class: expert hidden-small, align: left"]EXPERT
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small, align: left"]FANTASY TEAM
[/TD]
[TD="class: champion hidden-small, align: left"]PROJECTED CHAMPION
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small, align: left"]COMMENT
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TH]
[/TR]
</tbody><tbody>[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Helen Ross
Senior Writer
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Brendan de Jonge
Dustin Johnson
Sean O'Hair
Justin Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Justin
Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Rose enters with momentum after tying for second at the Masters, and he has finished 15th or better in his last three starts at TPC Louisiana. A potent combination, to be sure.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Rob Bolton
Fantasy Columnist
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Keegan Bradley
Dustin Johnson
Justin Rose
Brendan Steele
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Justin
Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]In the absence of a favorite, stick with the chalk. It’s the kind of week to play for the push and hope to get lucky.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Sean Martin
Events Editor
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Jason Day
Harris English
Dustin Johnson
Justin Thomas
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Dustin
Johnson
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]He's finished no worse than sixth in his past three starts, including his win at the Cadillac Championship and a career-best T6 at the Masters.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Jonathan Wall
Equipment Insider
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Jason Day
Dustin Johnson
John Peterson
Justin Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]John
Peterson
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Finished T8 at Zurich in 2013 and has two top-20 finishes in his last two starts. Look for the LSU product to pick up his first TOUR win in his home state.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Fred Albers
PGA TOUR Radio
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Rickie Fowler
Dustin Johnson
Justin Rose
Brendan Steele
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Rickie
Fowler
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Rickie is one of the best "feel" putters on TOUR and he leads the TOUR in scrambling from the fringe at 100 percent. That's right, Rickie is 22-22 from the fringe.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Mike McAllister
Managing Editor
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Dustin Johnson
Troy Merritt
John Peterson
Justin Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Justin
Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Of Rose's 24 career rounds at TPC Louisiana, 18 have been under par, including 11 in the 60s.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]D.J. Piehowski
Digital Producer
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]John Peterson
Justin Rose
Brendan Steele
Justin Thomas
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Justin
Rose
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]After a poor start to the season, things clicked for Rose at Augusta National. He's now headed to TPC Louisiana, where he has been great, finishing top 15 his last three visits.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Brian Wacker
Staff Writer
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Keegan Bradley
Jason Day
Billy Horschel
Dustin Johnson
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Jason
Day
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]He hasn't played in New Orleans since 2009 but was hovering in contention at the Masters. Day's game also suits the lengthy TPC Louisiana well as he is tied for first in par-4 scoring.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: odd"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]Amanda Balionis
Host, Trending on TOUR
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Jason Day
Dustin Johnson
Justin Rose
Steve Stricker
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Dustin
Johnson
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]He's healthy, happy and coming off T6s at Valero and Augusta. Don't ever count out a healthy and happy DJ.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: even"]
[TD][TABLE="class: row, width: 849"]
<tbody>[TR="class: no-colorize"]
[TD="class: name-expert hidden-small"]John Swantek
Host, LIVE@
[/TD]
[TD="class: selections hidden-small"]Harris English
Kevin Kisner
John Peterson
Justin Thomas
[/TD]
[TD="class: name projected hidden-small"]Harris
English
[/TD]
[TD="class: photo projected hidden-small"]
[/TD]
[TD="class: comments hidden-small"]Going with a tried and true handicapping strategy; a gut feeling. Some decent course history (T6in '13) but mainly just think his immense talent will be on display.
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
Power Rankings Wild Card
Kevin Kisner ... It was about time that his killer short game received some attention. However, the skill that forced a playoff at the RBC Heritage -- his first top 25 of 2015 -- gets lost in the shuffle on a bigger ballpark like TPC Louisiana. At the same time, he had unfinished business in the bayou. Sat T16 through 54 holes last year, and then blew up for a final-round 76 to place T34.
Draws
Nick Watney ... Probably the primary snub from the Power Rankings. Finally grabbed his first top 40 since the conclusion of the West Coast Swing with a T25 in Houston. Sterling slate at TPC Louisiana with a breakthrough title in 2007 and pair of top 20s since. Nothing in the stat book rules him out exclusively. Sits 40th in adjusted scoring, which emphasizes that.
Daniel Berger ... It would be a shock if he didn't make noise in this shootout. He's above average in many of the relevant statistical angles that project success at TPC Louisiana; he's more than familiar with Bermudagrass; and he's enjoying a breakout rookie season. The only reason why he didn't crack the Power Rankings is because he's a first-timer here.
Charles Howell III ... Sure, I see the pair of missed cuts in his last three starts, but I also see the T5 in Houston. We know who he is, so we know that he'll pay off much more often than the alternative. Shared runner-up honors here in 2009 and tied for 13th in 2011. They are among six cuts made in seven appearances. Ranks 33rd in greens hit.
Bo Van Pelt ... Connected four sub-70s at Harbour Town en route to a T9. It was his first top 10 in nine months. His putting was on point all week, which can't hurt his confidence moving forward. His commitment to TPC Louisiana is just his second in the last seven editions, but he shared 25th place here last year with a 63 in the second round.
Jason Bohn ... Easy pick for DFS. Winner here in 2010 and has missed only two of 13 cuts this season. Top 20s in two of his last four starts. Ranks 28th in greens in regulation, third in proximity and inside the top 30 in par-3, par-4 and par-5 scoring.
Scott Piercy ... Shared 13th place here in 2012 and rode a roller coaster to a solo 10th in his last start in Houston where he ranked T8 in greens in regulation, fourth in proximity and T5 in par-4 scoring. That proficiency tied to a tendency to be streaky is why you invest this week.
Martin Laird ... Power and precision should get him to the weekend, but that theory is supported by a consecutive cuts made streak of seven. He's been quiet since the Florida Swing but his consistency is worth a flier in deeper formats and DFS.
David Toms ... For DFSers only. Of course, he's adored in his home state, so the 48-year-old circles this event every year. He's making his 22nd appearance. He hasn't made a cut since a T41 at Torrey Pines in early February, but he's perfect in his last seven trips to TPC Louisiana. Last year's T15 was his third top 20 in his last six.
Bernd Wiesberger ... Flier in all formats. His T22 at the Masters was best among first-timers at Augusta National, so that accounts for something. He was under par in the last three rounds, too. TPC Louisiana will showcase his length off the tee, but he's currently sixth on the European Tour in greens hit and ninth in putting. For as much as the tournament could serve as a springboard into the next two weeks, it could also serve as a platform for his talent.
Fades
Seung-yul Noh ... The defending champ is still grinding through swing changes with new coach Adam Schriber. Only one red number in his last 16 rounds.
Billy Horschel ... Unfortunately, at least for gamers, the 2013 champ, who missed the cut in his title defense, has yet to deviate from the accepted approach that he's predictable based on form, not course history. A solo third in San Antonio four weeks ago is the anomaly. It's his only top 25 in a full-field event all season. His objective entering 2014-15 was to become the first FedExCup champ to repeat. Currently 61st in points, that would put a lot of pressure on his early game in the Playoffs if he doesn't make a significant move.
John Senden ... Like many before him in this section, it's a relative call. He's missed only one cut in seven appearances, but he arrives this week having missed four of his last six. He's gone without a top 30 in a full-field event since the 78-man CIMB Classic in the fall (solo seventh). Unless he turns it around, 2013-14 is shaping up as a spike on his career arc, not a return to his reliable form. He turned 44 on Monday, so a slower pace is to be expected.
Jamie Donaldson ... Tournament debut. Currently 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking, but continues to struggle as a first-time PGA TOUR member. Since a solo sixth at The Honda Classic, he's 2-for-4 with no top 30s.
Erik Compton ... As much as I'd love to endorse hanging your visor on his T5 here last year, he's been quiet for three months. Zero top 40s among just three cuts made in his last eight starts. Still a terrific putter, but not getting the ball in the hole fast enough.
Returning to Competition
Marc Leishman ... First start since missing the cut at Bay Hill. Took time off to be with and care for his wife, who was seriously ill. The Aussie missed the cut in his only appearance at TPC Louisiana in 2009, so allow him to grind off the rust in advance of next week's Match Play.
Camilo Villegas ... Walked off Harbour Town after only nine holes last week. No explanation was released. It extended his drought without a payday to three straight starts. Hasn't broken par since a third-round 67 at Bay Hill. Missed the cut in his last two trips to TPC Louisiana.
Jason Gore ... Back in action since a back injury forced him to withdraw after one round of the Web.com Tour's Chitimacha Louisiana Open in late March. Just 4-for-11 with no top 45s on the PGA TOUR this season and 0-for-2 at TPC Louisiana.
Notable WDs
Sangmoon Bae ... Despite sitting 12th in the FedExCup standings, he will not crack the field of next week's Match Play, so we'll see him again at THE PLAYERS on May 7.
Branden Grace ... Disappointing decision given he recorded a personal-best T7 on the PGA TOUR at the RBC Heritage. It's his first top 15 in 35 career starts and offers hope that his winning form abroad can translate on U.S. soil. You'll find him at TPC Harding Park next week.
Kevin Kisner ... It was about time that his killer short game received some attention. However, the skill that forced a playoff at the RBC Heritage -- his first top 25 of 2015 -- gets lost in the shuffle on a bigger ballpark like TPC Louisiana. At the same time, he had unfinished business in the bayou. Sat T16 through 54 holes last year, and then blew up for a final-round 76 to place T34.
Draws
Nick Watney ... Probably the primary snub from the Power Rankings. Finally grabbed his first top 40 since the conclusion of the West Coast Swing with a T25 in Houston. Sterling slate at TPC Louisiana with a breakthrough title in 2007 and pair of top 20s since. Nothing in the stat book rules him out exclusively. Sits 40th in adjusted scoring, which emphasizes that.
Daniel Berger ... It would be a shock if he didn't make noise in this shootout. He's above average in many of the relevant statistical angles that project success at TPC Louisiana; he's more than familiar with Bermudagrass; and he's enjoying a breakout rookie season. The only reason why he didn't crack the Power Rankings is because he's a first-timer here.
Charles Howell III ... Sure, I see the pair of missed cuts in his last three starts, but I also see the T5 in Houston. We know who he is, so we know that he'll pay off much more often than the alternative. Shared runner-up honors here in 2009 and tied for 13th in 2011. They are among six cuts made in seven appearances. Ranks 33rd in greens hit.
Bo Van Pelt ... Connected four sub-70s at Harbour Town en route to a T9. It was his first top 10 in nine months. His putting was on point all week, which can't hurt his confidence moving forward. His commitment to TPC Louisiana is just his second in the last seven editions, but he shared 25th place here last year with a 63 in the second round.
Jason Bohn ... Easy pick for DFS. Winner here in 2010 and has missed only two of 13 cuts this season. Top 20s in two of his last four starts. Ranks 28th in greens in regulation, third in proximity and inside the top 30 in par-3, par-4 and par-5 scoring.
Scott Piercy ... Shared 13th place here in 2012 and rode a roller coaster to a solo 10th in his last start in Houston where he ranked T8 in greens in regulation, fourth in proximity and T5 in par-4 scoring. That proficiency tied to a tendency to be streaky is why you invest this week.
Martin Laird ... Power and precision should get him to the weekend, but that theory is supported by a consecutive cuts made streak of seven. He's been quiet since the Florida Swing but his consistency is worth a flier in deeper formats and DFS.
David Toms ... For DFSers only. Of course, he's adored in his home state, so the 48-year-old circles this event every year. He's making his 22nd appearance. He hasn't made a cut since a T41 at Torrey Pines in early February, but he's perfect in his last seven trips to TPC Louisiana. Last year's T15 was his third top 20 in his last six.
Bernd Wiesberger ... Flier in all formats. His T22 at the Masters was best among first-timers at Augusta National, so that accounts for something. He was under par in the last three rounds, too. TPC Louisiana will showcase his length off the tee, but he's currently sixth on the European Tour in greens hit and ninth in putting. For as much as the tournament could serve as a springboard into the next two weeks, it could also serve as a platform for his talent.
Fades
Seung-yul Noh ... The defending champ is still grinding through swing changes with new coach Adam Schriber. Only one red number in his last 16 rounds.
Billy Horschel ... Unfortunately, at least for gamers, the 2013 champ, who missed the cut in his title defense, has yet to deviate from the accepted approach that he's predictable based on form, not course history. A solo third in San Antonio four weeks ago is the anomaly. It's his only top 25 in a full-field event all season. His objective entering 2014-15 was to become the first FedExCup champ to repeat. Currently 61st in points, that would put a lot of pressure on his early game in the Playoffs if he doesn't make a significant move.
John Senden ... Like many before him in this section, it's a relative call. He's missed only one cut in seven appearances, but he arrives this week having missed four of his last six. He's gone without a top 30 in a full-field event since the 78-man CIMB Classic in the fall (solo seventh). Unless he turns it around, 2013-14 is shaping up as a spike on his career arc, not a return to his reliable form. He turned 44 on Monday, so a slower pace is to be expected.
Jamie Donaldson ... Tournament debut. Currently 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking, but continues to struggle as a first-time PGA TOUR member. Since a solo sixth at The Honda Classic, he's 2-for-4 with no top 30s.
Erik Compton ... As much as I'd love to endorse hanging your visor on his T5 here last year, he's been quiet for three months. Zero top 40s among just three cuts made in his last eight starts. Still a terrific putter, but not getting the ball in the hole fast enough.
Returning to Competition
Marc Leishman ... First start since missing the cut at Bay Hill. Took time off to be with and care for his wife, who was seriously ill. The Aussie missed the cut in his only appearance at TPC Louisiana in 2009, so allow him to grind off the rust in advance of next week's Match Play.
Camilo Villegas ... Walked off Harbour Town after only nine holes last week. No explanation was released. It extended his drought without a payday to three straight starts. Hasn't broken par since a third-round 67 at Bay Hill. Missed the cut in his last two trips to TPC Louisiana.
Jason Gore ... Back in action since a back injury forced him to withdraw after one round of the Web.com Tour's Chitimacha Louisiana Open in late March. Just 4-for-11 with no top 45s on the PGA TOUR this season and 0-for-2 at TPC Louisiana.
Notable WDs
Sangmoon Bae ... Despite sitting 12th in the FedExCup standings, he will not crack the field of next week's Match Play, so we'll see him again at THE PLAYERS on May 7.
Branden Grace ... Disappointing decision given he recorded a personal-best T7 on the PGA TOUR at the RBC Heritage. It's his first top 15 in 35 career starts and offers hope that his winning form abroad can translate on U.S. soil. You'll find him at TPC Harding Park next week.
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
I have small flyers on Harrison English at 33-1 and John Peterson 40-1 so far is all...waiting for matchups
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