Dan Roebuck’s PGA Tour preview – Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Published:Justin Rose heads the betting for this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, as the Englishman looks to become the third Briton to claim a PGA Tour win in the last four events.
Rose was heavily backed to win the Masters but slipped away after a good start and while he was 10th at TPC Louisiana last season, there are better bets elsewhere.
Bare recent numbers would point you in the direction of Charley Hoffman and Billy Horschel, but having both blown chances of victory in recent outings, I get the feeling the pair are about to embark on a downward form trend.
On the up are two performers that a few years ago would have regularly made the staking plan, although neither had in 2013 before now – and they are Camilo Villegas and Rory Sabbatini, who are both available to back at 50/1.
The Colombian admitted to losing his confidence last year after a string of missed cuts, but extensive work with his coach Darren May has started to pay dividends. Last week’s ninth place in the Heritage tournament was a first stateside top 10 since September 2011, and given it came after 16th at Bay Hill there are signs of some consistency.
18th place in this event 12 months ago was actually his best effort in America in 2012.
Sabbatini finished alongside Villegas in South Carolina on Sunday, playing the gusty conditions better than most, and he should be able to draw on his runner-up spot at TPC Louisiana in 2009 as inspiration for a run at the title this week.
Finally, Brendon de Jonge’s solid play from tee to green at Harbour Town brought a second top 10 in his last three starts and, after finishing 69-69-66 12 months ago in New Orleans, he can be expected to make a challenge at 40/1.
My three to follow – Villegas, Sabbatini and de Jonge.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
