Zurich Classic preview, picks & analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

AFTER checking in at two of the most iconic courses on the rota - Augusta National and Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head - the PGA Tour arrives at a venue more famous for its sideshows than its course.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans attracts a field led by Jason Day and Dustin Johnson and with a history of supplying first-time winners. Last year it was Seung-Yul Noh, who led from start to finish to record his maiden victory. Billy Horschel, the 2014 FedEx Cup playoff winner, picked up his first win here at TPC Louisiana in 2013 and is in the field again.

The course was designed by Pete Dye and is one of the easiest on tour despite a preponderance of trees, bunkers, waste areas and water. It measures 7,425 yards and is a par 72,but expect to see a winning score well below 270.

Seung-Yul Noh claimed his maiden PGA Tour title at the Zurcih Classic in 2015

It is a golf course that could have been designed with Johnson in mind, and if he drives the ball well then he will reduce it to a pitch-and-putt course. he can easily reach all the par fives in two and will be going into most of the par fours with short irons. If his putting is on song, he could easily shoot 260 over four days. Day will also be desperate to prove that his poor showing in The Masters was a one-off.

Jason Dufner and Bubba Watson are also former winners here.

But if you are looking for another first-time winner, there are some very tasty options. I keep telling you that Justin Thomas is destined to win in 2015, and I have a feeling that this course could suit both his eye and his game. On top of that, he played well at Harbour Town, so he is in form.

And have you been keeping an eye on Kevin Kisner? You should be. Like Thomas, he has a really solid all-round game and has contended several times already this season without quite being able to finish the job off. He also played really well at the Heritage and if he has a week when he can get the short stick working then he could easily fit the bill.

It has been an outstanding year on the PGA Tour, with most tournaments in doubt right up until the final putt has been holed, and we have had more than our usual share of playoffs. There have been a few of those in New Orleans too.

This is one of those rare weeks when the field may feel they have a chance to taste some success. Why? Jordan Spieth is taking some time off! You'd better make the most of it guys because he is back for the World Matchplay and the Players Championship that follows it and you just know that he is not going along to make up the numbers.

After New Orleans, the top 10 in the FedEx Cup rankings, along with the top 50 in the world rankings, are guaranteed their places in the field at Sawgrass. You remember Sawgrass - think island green, think 17th hole, think balls in the water. Oh yes, and think "Fifth Major". If you must.

Justin Rose has already won a proper major and he, too, heads to New Orleans, fresh from a terrific performance at The Masters. Anybody who finishes ahead of Rose will win. I really fancy him to do the job here.

Zurich Classic Betting Picks:

To win: Justin Rose 12/1 Proved at Augusta he is ready to win again

Each way: Dustin Johnson 12/1 Could destroy this course

Each way: Jason Day 11/1 Needs to prove Augusta was a one-off

Zurich Classic Fantasy picks:

Justin Rose 12/1 Should  suit his eye perfectly

Dustin Johnson 12/1 Looks better and better every time he plays

Jason Day 11/1 Ready to add his victory earlier in the year

Rickie Fowler 16/1 Disappointed at The Masters and needs to go low soon

Steve Stricker 25/1 The old boy may surprise a few people

Russell Knox 30/1 The Scot belongs on the PGA Tour

Justin Thomas 30/1 This could be his week

Harris English 25/1 I could watch this guy swing a club all day long

Keegan Bradley 28/1 If he wins, maybe he will abandon that awful pre-shot routine

Brendan Steele 33/1 One of the most consistent players on tour