Zurich Classic of New Orleans Preview

The PGA Tour is in Louisiana this week for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Jason Bohn defends the title and Britain will be well represented with Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose in the field.

Jason Bohn
Fergus Bisset
By Fergus Bisset
published

Lowdown: The PGA Tour is in Louisiana this week for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Jason Bohn defends the title and Britain will be well represented with Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose in the field. 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 victors - nine different nations have been represented in the winner's circle over the last 25 years. Given the cultural melting pot that is the city of New Orleans, such variation seems appropriate. Last season Jason Bohn produced four excellent rounds to set a tournament record total of 18-under-par. The American finished two clear of Jeff Overton. TPC Louisiana was altered dramatically by original designer Pete Dye after the 2005 tournament. Many of his changes involved adding hazards to demand a more strategic approach. It's a course where precision is essential. The greens are relatively large but they are undulating and it's vital to leave yourself on the right side of the flag. With dry conditions forecast, the playing surfaces could become firm, heightening the test. Venue: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana Date: April 28 - May 1 Course stats: par 72, 7,341 yards Purse: $6,400,000, Winner: $1,116,000 Defending Champion: Jason Bohn (-18)

TV Coverage: Thursday 28 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 8pm Friday 29 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 8pm Saturday 30 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 9pm Sunday 1 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 8pm

Player Watch: Luke Donald - The Englishman will look to get over the disappointment of missing out last week in a playoff for The Heritage by securing a victory here.

Nick Watney - He's been on fantastic form this year and he won this event in 2007. He has five top-10 finishes already this season, expect this to be his sixth.

Brandt Snedeker - One of the Tour's best putters, he should cope well with the undulating greens at TPC Louisiana. He won last week, posting a superb closing round of 64, he'll look to continue to ride that wave.

Key Hole: 6th. A 476 yard par 4 that requires a long straight drive before the hole turns straight left to leave a long iron or fairway wood to the green. It generally ranks as the toughest hole on the course.

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.

Where Next? European Tour: Ballantine's Championship Preview

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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