Wide Open Golf Betting at Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Frank Doyle makes his picks for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The Zurich Classic isn’t one of the higher profile events on the tour. This makes it a great opportunity for a bettor who knows what he or she is doing to back a big priced winner because the field is so open (and golf betting has been very open all this year as we continue to find out feet in the post-Tiger era).

Luke Donald is the ante-post favorite but he really doesn’t seem like a good bet. Donald was unlucky not to win the Heritage last Sunday but there’s not a lot you can do when the other guy shoots a 64, as Brandt Snedeker did. Thing is, if Donald had won he’d now be World No 1, not Lee Westwood. Donald is a highly talented golfer.

But Donald didn’t win and it’s hard to see how he can get on a plane from South Carolina to Louisiana and just continue where he left off. Donald is the best player in the field and if he brings his A-game he wins, but it’s a lot to ask after the heartbreak of Hilton Head. A huge amount of golf is played in the head.

The Zurich Classic is played at the Avondale course outside New Orleans. The course is long and the greens are big, so if you can rip it off the tee you’re in with a chance. Armed with this insider information, here are Sports Interaction’s

Fore! to Follow:

Bubba Watson. +2500. He’s in form, he’s won already this year and he’s second in driving distance on the tour this year.

Brandt Snedeker. +2800. Back to back winners are by no means common on tour but the combination of the rich form Snedeker hit in South Carolina and the comparable weakness of the field here makes him worth a look.

Rickie Fowler. +3300. The Californian has yet to win on tour but it’s only a matter of time and the course at Avondale suits his game. He missed the cut at Hilton Head but that gives him time to rest up and get ready for New Orleans. His biggest worry is spending too much time on Bourbon Street.

Vijay Singh. +6600. Vijay’s not burning up the tour by any means but he’s placed and showed already this year. If the young guns can’t claim the Zurich Classic the old man can show ‘em how it’s done.

World Golf Rankings, April 26, 2011