Preview: Zurich Classic of New Orleans

The PGA Tour travels to New Orleans this week for the Zurich Classic. Last year Andres Romero became the fourth first-time winner of the event in four straight years. He returns to TPC Louisiana to defend his title.

Andres Romero
Fergus Bisset
By Fergus Bisset
published

Lowdown: One of the oldest events on the PGA Tour, the New Orleans Open was first contested in 1939. Over the years the tournament has produced a diverse selection of champions – eight different nations have been represented in the winner’s circle over the last 20 years. Given the cultural melting pot that is the city of New Orleans, such variation seems appropriate. For the last four years the title has gone to first-time winners: Tim Petrovic, Chris Couch, Nick Watney and Andres Romero. In 2008, Argentina’s Romero finished hours before his nearest challengers owing to weather interruptions. He had a long and anxious wait to see if his total of -13 would hold up. When Peter Lonard missed a birdie putt on the final green to force a playoff, the title went to Romero. The course was altered dramatically by Pete Dye after the 2005 tournament. Bucking the modern trend, the majority of his alterations involved shortening holes and adding hazards to demand a more strategic approach. Venue: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana Date: April 23-26 Course stats: par 72, 7,341 yards Purse: $6,200,000 Winner: $1,116,000 Defending champion: Andres Romero (-13)

TV coverage: Thursday 23rd – Live on Setanta Golf from 8pm Friday 24th – Live on Setanta Golf from 8pm Saturday 25th - Live on Setanta Golf from 6pm Sunday 26th - Live on Setanta Golf from 6pm

Player watch: Nick Watney – He’s enjoyed good form in 2009 and he won this tournament in 2007. He must be in with a chance this time out. Kenny Perry – It’s hard to overlook the veteran Kentuckian in any tournament he starts at the moment. He’ll be keen to bounce back from his disappointing defeat at Augusta and victory here would be the perfect tonic. Tim Wilkinson – The Kiwi was third in this event last year and recorded a sixth place finish last week. He should be there or thereabouts on Sunday afternoon.

Key Hole: 15th. A very tough par-4 of 480 yards. The hole requires a solid drive and, although there are no bunkers, the green is surrounded by tricky run-offs making pitching very difficult.

Skills Required: Course management. The winner will carefully plot his way round this re-designed layout. Bludgeoning it with the driver is not always the most prudent option.

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly. 

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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