Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Wednesday Preview - Zurich Classic

Pretty anti-climatic week this week, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic. Not going to lie, folks...it's a pretty boring one this week.

Course: TPC Louisiana, 7,400 yards of relatively wide open space and non-punishing rough. After a stretch of difficult golf courses, expect an absolute birdie fest this week.

Strength Of Field: D-. One of the weakest fields we've seen all season. Justin Rose, ranked 11th in the world, is the highest ranked player in the field. The lower ranked players are jumping all over this event to qualify for the Players, while the higher ranked players are resting before their trip to Sawgrass.

Extra Tidbits: Six of the last nine winners of the Zurich Classic made this tournament the site of their first victory...Last year, Billy Horschel won in a playoff against D.A. Points at -20. Expect scores to be around there again this year.


Fantasy Four:

1) Rickie Fowler - We're all probably set to get burned by Rickie again after his performance at the Masters. Eventually Fowler has to win again, and this season has been a particularly strong one, with three top 10's, two of them at a WGC event and a major. He will either win or miss the cut, but with the way he's been trending and with there being a lack of real favorite to win this event, I give Rickie a really good shot.

2) Justin Rose - Heading back in the right direction just in time, as he is currently on the outside of the European Ryder Cup. Going to be defending the US Open in a couple months, and will need a few strong finishes to get his confidence back. Finished T14 at the Masters, but that followed a missed cut at Bay Hill.

3) Stuart Appleby - Sleeper Pick. Has only missed two cuts since the start of 2014. Sits at a quiet 66th in the FedEx Cup, and on the heels of a top 25 in South Carolina. Last event he won was the birdie fest at Greenbrier in 2010, where Appleby shot a 59. 

4) J.B. Holmes - Hasn't missed a cut since the Honda Classic, and has finished in the Top 25 three times in four events. Can relax now that he met the terms of his medical extension. TPC Louisiana rewards long hitters and doesn't punish inaccuracy, so Holmes should be able to overpower several holes.  


Last Weeks Team:
Will MacKenzie: CUT
Kevin Na: CUT
Stewart Cink: T61
Trevor Immelman: T74

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