PGA Picks - Zurich Classic from New Orleans

Golfers travel to the Crescent City to contest the $6,300,000 Zurich Classic.  Like last week’s Verizon Heritage, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington, are going to sit on the sidelines while the best of the rest hit the links.

Because of the absences, favoritism falls onto the shoulders of choke artist Kenny Perry.  Perry had a lead going into the final hole of the Masters two weeks ago, but failed to close the deal and ended up losing in a playoff to Angel Cabrera.  Perry will be looking to make amends in New Orleans.

Let’s take a look at some of the golfers who can win the Zurich Classic.

Golf:  Zurich Classic of New Orleans To Win

1. Kenny Perry +1200 - - Perry was oh so close to winning his first Major two weeks ago.  The truth about Perry’s game is that it is ultra consistent as evidenced by his 69.3 average per round in 10 tournaments.  That’s pretty good.  He’s also finished in the top ten in 6 out of the ten tournaments he’s entered this year.  Perry should play well enough to win his second tournament of the year.  He’s 10th in greens hit in regulation and 12th in overall driving and has made the cut in all ten tournaments.  The Zurich is Perry’s to lose.

2. Steve Stricker +1400 - - Stricker is ranked 9th on the money list, 7th in putting and 9th in the amount of birdies he makes each round.  He’s also finished in the top ten in 4 out of the 9 tournaments he’s played in this year.  He’s made the cut 7 times and should be ready to play a terrific game after not making the cut in New Orleans in 2008.  A bounce back appears likely for Stricker in the Zurich.

3. Nick Watney +1200 - - The 27 year old from Sacramento has made the cut in all 9 tournaments he’s started in this season.  Watney already has a victory on the year.  Add the 3 top ten finishes into the mix, a number 8 ranking in driving distance and a number 8 ranking in birdies per round, and gamblers have yet another top golfer to choose to bet on in the Zurich Classic.

4. Rory Sabbatini +2200 - - Sabbatini had a pretty good Masters and has finished in the top ten twice out of 9 events.  He’s also made the cut in 8 of those 9 events.  His driving accuracy of 60.1% is a concern but Sabbatini still has a big shot in the Zurich because his competition isn’t named Phil or Tiger.

5. Andres Romero +3300 - - Romero won the Zurich Classic last year which means he automatically gets a shot in it this year.  A top ten, 6 cuts made out of 8 tournaments and an okay Masters means that Romero should be ready to defend his title.  He’s not ranked in the top ten in any significant category yet this year but at golf odds of 33 to 1, it might be worth it to back the defending champ.

6. Mike Weir +3300 - - Weir barely made the cut in the Masters two weeks ago, but overall he’s been pretty good this season.  He’s made the cut 7 times out of 8 tournaments with 2 top ten finishes.  Weir is ranked 2nd in Eagles.  That’s not exactly a category that screams victory, but like the rest of the golfers on this list, the lack of players teeing off means that a guy like Weir has a big shot.

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