Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2026

Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2026 – a different week on the PGA Tour
After several weeks of classic stroke play, we now have one of the most special stops of the year on the PGA Tour . The Zurich Classic of New Orleans stands out as the only official tournament where players compete in teams – two by two. It provides a completely different dynamic, both sportingly and from a betting perspective. As usual, we will be chasing the best odds for the weekend.

This is the week where individual performances are not enough. Interaction, chemistry and complementary skills are at least as important as pure form.

A unique tournament on the tour

The Zurich Classic is the only tournament on the PGA Tour with a team format, and since the transition in 2017, it has established itself as a favorite among both players and spectators.

The tournament is played over two different formats:

• Fourball (best ball) – both players play their own ball, and the team's best score counts
• Foursomes (alternate shot) – players hit the same ball every other time

This provides an exciting contrast throughout the week. Fourball allows for low scores and aggressive play, while foursomes is often more demanding and punishes mistakes more severely.

It is especially in foursomes that we often see which teams really work – here it is all about trust, rhythm and cooperation.

TPC Louisiana – a course that invites scoring

The tournament is played at TPC Louisiana, a course designed by Pete Dye in collaboration with Steve Elkington. The course is far more open than many other Dye designs, but still has strategic elements that require good choices.

Characteristics of the track:

• Relatively wide fairways
• Many water hazards that punish aggressive lines
• Scorable par 5 holes
• Often low winning score

This is a course where teams must exploit the opportunities in fourball while limiting the mistakes in foursomes. The balance between risk and control is crucial.

History – established duos and surprises
Zurich Classic has evolved into a tournament where relationships matter a lot.

We have seen:

• Established duos that play together year after year
• Countrymen forming natural partnerships
• Friends off the field who find chemistry even in competition

At the same time, this is a tournament where surprises often happen. When two players “click”, they can perform far beyond expectations – making this one of the most unpredictable weeks on the tour.

Two Norwegians together – extra exciting this year
For us Norwegian golf enthusiasts, this year's tournament will be extra interesting, with two Norwegians playing together.

It provides a unique entry into the tournament, and not least an extra dimension in the assessments. Players who know each other well, share a language and have similar references can often have an advantage in a format where communication and security are crucial.

At the same time, it also places demands. In the foursomes format, you have to be comfortable with each other's play, decisions and pace – which can be crucial when the pressure increases over the weekend.

A completely different game profile
Zurich Classic clearly differs from regular tournaments, and this is also reflected in which players and teams are successful.

Typical success factors:

• Players who complement each other (e.g. one aggressive and one stable)
• Strong iron play and good birdie opportunities in fourball
• Stability and error minimization in foursomes
• Experience with team play or previous collaboration

This isn't necessarily the week where the best individual players win – but where the best teams do.

Betting perspective – more than just form
From a betting perspective, this is one of the most interesting tournaments of the year.

• Individual form is important – but not enough on its own
• Chemistry and collaboration can be crucial
• Established teams often have an advantage
• The variation between formats causes greater fluctuations

This also means that there is often value outside of the biggest names. Teams that work well together can surprise – and that is precisely what makes the Zurich Classic so exciting to analyze.

Ready for the games
With a unique format, a course that allows for scoring and a tournament where cooperation is key, everything is set for an entertaining week in New Orleans.

This is no ordinary tournament – ​​and it also requires a slightly different approach.

Now it's about finding the right teams.

Here are our selected odds bets for the weekend

Matt & Alex Fitzpatrick – Top 5 (3.20)

Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Fitzpatrick are one of the most in-form teams in the entire field – and this is a duo that is hard to overlook this week.

Matt Fitzpatrick is coming off a win at the RBC Heritage, where he eventually beat Scottie Scheffler in a playoff. It was his second win of the season, and few – if any – players on the PGA Tour have been better in recent months. His consistency, precision and ability to deliver under pressure make him a perfect player for this format.

Meanwhile, Alex Fitzpatrick enters the tournament with confidence after winning the Hero Indian Open on the DP World Tour. It wasn't a one-off result either - with five top-20 finishes in his last seven starts, he has shown impressive consistency over time.

So this is not just a name + little brother case – both play at a very high level.

In addition, we get one of the classic “family duo” factors that often works out well in the Zurich Classic. They know each other well, have played a lot together, and will naturally have good communication – something that is especially important in the foursomes format.

Their playing styles also fit well together. Both are precise, methodical and strong from tee to green, providing a solid foundation throughout the week. They may not be the most explosive team in fourball, but they are extremely consistent – ​​and that is often what lasts through four rounds in this format.

There's also an extra dimension here: If they were to go all the way to the top this week, Alex Fitzpatrick would secure a full PGA Tour card. That adds an extra motivational factor into the tournament – ​​and makes this partnership even more interesting to follow.

From a game perspective, the top 5 appears to be a very solid choice. With the form they bring in, combined with chemistry and playing style, this is a team that has all the makings to be right up there throughout the tournament.

Austin Smotherman / Andrew Putnam - Top 20 (2.20)

Austin Smotherman and Andrew Putnam emerge as one of the more exciting outsider teams this week – and a clear play in the top 20 market.

Both have shown during the season that they are capable of being right up there and fighting for wins on the PGA Tour. They have been close several times, and their level is high enough to assert themselves even in a strong field.

What makes this team particularly interesting is the combination of playing styles. Putnam is known for his solid close game and steady putting, while Smotherman brings a more aggressive game and the ability to create birdie opportunities. It provides a nice balance – especially in a format that alternates between fourball and foursomes.

In fourball they can take advantage of the aggression and chase low scores, while in foursomes they have enough control and experience to keep mistakes down. It is often precisely this type of team that delivers consistently throughout the week.

In terms of form, they also come in with confidence after strong performances earlier in the season, and both have been close to winning – which is often a good sign heading into a tournament like this.

From a gaming perspective, top 20 seems like a natural choice. This is a team with both upside and stability, and in a tournament where many teams fluctuate in performance, that could be enough to secure a solid placement.

Brooks Koepka / Shane Lowry - Top 10 (2.20)

Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry form one of the most interesting teams in this year's edition of the Zurich Classic - and a clear play in the top 10 market.

Lowry has shown in recent seasons how well he works in this format, especially through his partnership with Rory McIlroy. The two have delivered strong results together, and it is clear that Lowry thrives in team play where communication and flow are crucial.

Now he has a new partner in Koepka – and that makes this an extra exciting combination.

Koepka is a player who always raises the bar when it comes to his game, and even though he doesn't play as much on the PGA Tour as he used to, we know what a top level he is. In a format like this, he can play more aggressively and play to his strengths, while Lowry brings stability and experience.

This could easily be a very good match. Lowry's control and close play combined with Koepka's ability to produce birdies gives a team with both high upside and solid fundamentals.

At the same time, these are two players who thrive in tough settings and who are not affected by pressure – something that often separates the teams at the top over the weekend.

From a gaming perspective, top 10 seems like a natural choice. The chemistry may be a little more uncertain than with established duos, but the potential is so high that this still stands out as a very interesting game this week.

Tony Finau / Max Greyserman – Top 20 (2.20)

Tony Finau and Max Greyserman form a new and exciting duo this week – and a team that could quickly break into the top 20.

Both have delivered solid results during the season, and it is particularly interesting to see Finau's development. After a period of fluctuating levels, he is now starting to look more like the player we know he can be. When the game is on, he is one of the most complete players on the tour, with both length, ball striking and the ability to produce low scores.

Greyserman, for his part, has shown that he belongs at this level. He has consistently delivered good performances and appears to be a player with both confidence and stability – which is important in a format where mistakes are quickly punished.

This is also a combination that can work well in the team format. Finau can take a more offensive role and create birdie opportunities, while Greyserman contributes structure and stability. It provides a balance that often works well through both fourball and foursomes.

The question is whether they can continue the good trend this week – and there is certainly a good chance of that. The form is there, and the level is high enough to assert themselves.

From a game perspective, top 20 seems like a natural choice. This is a team with upside, and if they get going early in the tournament, they could easily be one of the more positive surprises.

Kristoffer Reitan / Kris Ventura – Top 20 (2.20)

Last but not least, we have Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura, who are perhaps the most interesting – and not least fun – games of the week seen through Norwegian eyes.

Two Norwegians together in a team tournament always adds an extra dimension, and this is a duo that can definitely lift each other up this week.

Reitan in particular has shown at times that the level is high. During The Masters he was involved for a long time and made his mark, which confirms that the top level is there when the game is in place. It is largely about finding stability – and this is precisely where this format can be an advantage.

Ventura is a player who often thrives in a slightly different environment. With Reitan, he gets a partner he knows well, and that can contribute to both security and fluidity on the court. Chemistry is an underrated factor in the Zurich Classic, and this is a team that should naturally have a lot of it.

In terms of play, they can also complement each other well. Reitan can contribute with the highest level of play and the ability to produce birdies, while Ventura can provide stability and calm in the more demanding periods – especially in foursomes.

The question is whether they can unleash their potential at the same time – but that is precisely what this format allows for.

From a game perspective, top 20 appears to be an exciting choice. With the right flow and good chemistry, this could easily be a week where they surprise – and deliver a result that really tastes good from a Norwegian perspective.

Good luck if you choose to follow. As usual, there will be more games during the weekend. You can of course find them on our odds list .