Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2022: Course and current form stats

The PGA Tour travels more than 720 miles west, as well as marginally south, to pitch up at TPC Louisiana in New Orleans.

The course is located in the suburb of Avondale, just a handful of miles south-west of downtown New Orleans.

This week's gathering is the only Tour event in the state of Louisiana and, once again, will feature 80 two-player teams.

On days one and three, the teams will play better-ball*, with rounds two and four featuring the more difficult alternate shot** format.

Course characteristics

Designed by Pete Dye and opened in 2004, TPC Louisiana made its Tour debut 17 years ago replacing English Turn as the tournament host.

However, the latter returned for one year only after Dye's creation was badly damaged - along with the surrounding area - by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

Laid out on the delta wetlands of this low-lying city, TPC Louisiana covers more than 250 acres and is dotted with more than 100 bunkers.

Water comes into play on eight holes and, although rough is not a major issue when compared to many PGA Tour venues, the greens are heavily undulating.

Although nowhere near as tiny as the putting surfaces experienced by the pros at Harbour Town last week, those in New Orleans are slightly smaller than the Tour average.

Over the past few years, Dye has returned to make a number of changes to the course. In 2019 the greens were returned to TifEagle Bermuda, having previously been MiniVerde. And, during the winter of 2020/21, a number of bunkers were restored to their original shape. Generally, they are now slightly smaller.

The purpose of these changes was to improve drainage, because much of the course is laid out below sea level.

Latest betting for this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Selected teams

Both players inside current world top-20:
Collin Morikawa & Viktor Hovland;
Patrick Cantlay & Xander Schauffele;
Sam Burns & Billy Horschel

Other significant pairings:
Scottie Scheffler & Ryan Palmer;
Cameron Smith & Marc Leishman (defending champs);
Tommy Fleetwood & Sergio Garcia;
Shane Lowry & Ian Poulter;
Harold Varner & Bubba Watson

History of good results in this event:
Charley Hoffman & Nick Watney;
Kevin Kisner & Scott Brown

Two teams to watch

Harold Varner & Bubba Watson: Watson is a former champion around TPC Louisiana, while Varner is enjoying the season of his career, so far.

Keegan Bradley & Brendan Steele: Under the radar a little. Bradley has performed well in recent weeks, while Steele has twice posted T-10s since the tournament adopted this two-man team format.

* Better-ball (Both players play their own ball, with only the best score on each hole counting);

** Alternate-shot (Just one player drives off the tee, after which the two golfers take alternate shots until the ball is holed.)

Latest betting for next month's PGA Championship

Twitter: Golf Stats Alive

MC* - Missed Additional 54-Hole Cut

Note: Became a two-man team event in 2017. Not staged in 2020.