General / Editor / 19 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

2005 champion Tim Petrovic has defended the changes made to the TPC Louisiana course ahead of this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The 40-year-old claimed his only USPGA Tour victory at this event and is certainly interested to see how the set-up has altered following Hurricane Katrina.

The devastation caused by the hurricane meant the tournament had to be switched to the English Turn Golf and Country Club, but this year the players return back to the TPC Louisiana.

The course has undergone an extensive restoration, part of the changes suggested by players after the inaugural event in 2005 with Petrovic playing a part in the process.

He admitted: "To have a course re-done and shortened goes against the grain of what has been happening on the PGA Tout lately.

"Most of the courses are adding length. I think the course we have here now is awesome."
With a best finish of tied 23rd (FBR Open) this year, Petrovic is among the outsiders for the tournament and is trading at 160 to claim first place on Sunday and can be backed at 13 to finish in the top ten.

David Toms heads the winner market at 14.5, with Lucas Glover next best on 26. Sean OHair is trading at 27 while last week's winner of the Heritage Classic, Bo Weekley, is available at 32.