Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2026 Predictions: Side with Stanford Pair

While this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans provides a welcome exhale after the high-pressure atmosphere of The Masters and last week’s Signature Series Event at Hilton Head, there are still serious prizes on offer for the schedule’s only pairs tournament.

This still counts as an official PGA Tour event so each member of the winning two-man team locks up a PGA Tour card through at least 2028, gains exemptions into the PGA Championship and the remaining Signature Events of 2026, banks 400 FedExCup points and walks off with $1,372,750 in prize money.  

Fun will be had along the way but minds will be focused.

The format as usual is better ball (fourballs) in rounds one and three and alternate shot (foursomes) in rounds two and four.

The formula for success is simple: make hay when both balls count and then try and hold firm in foursomes.

TPC Louisiana again plays host and, although it’s easy to find birdies, there’s a chance of wind and rain from Friday to Sunday which could make things interesting.

A total of 34 teams bid for glory, six down from last year’s 80.

• Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak return to defend

• Shane Lowry forms a new partnership with Brooks Koepka

• TPC Louisiana hosts the tournament once more

Zurich Classic of New Orleans Odds

Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook. Sign up today with our BetMGM bonus code WSNSPORTS and take advantage of the welcome offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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Zurich Classic of New Orleans Picks and Predictions

• Karl Vilips/Michael Thorbjornsen each-way at +1600 (1/5, 1-2-3-4-5-6) with BetMGM

• Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak for Top 5 at +350 with BetMGM

• Marco Penge/Matt Wallace for Top 10 at +188 with BetMGM

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Last 5 Winners of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Course Notes

• TPC Louisiana is a par 72 of 7,425 yards featuring Bermuda greens

• It was designed by Pete Dye and features numerous water hazards

• The low 33 teams and ties make the cut 

• Nick Hardy/Davis Riley hold the 72-hole record of 258

• Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo have the best ball record of 59

Favorites to Win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (+900) at BetMGM

Shane Lowry doesn’t have six-time Major winner, Rory McIlroy, for company this time so he’ll have to make do with a five-time Major champion instead. Lowry and McIlroy teamed up to win this two years ago and were 12th when defending. Lowry may appreciate the more relaxed atmosphere after crashing to a final-round 80 at Augusta when well placed after 54 holes. Koepka makes his first start in the event since 22nd in 2019. He’s been flexing his muscles with a top 10 and three other top 20s in his last four starts, the latest a top 12 at Augusta National.

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Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (+1000) at BetMGM

What a time to be a Fitzpatrick brother. Matt has just climbed to World No 3 after beating Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the RBC Heritage while Alex is still feeling the glow of his first DP World Tour win. That also came on his last start when he captured the Indian Open at the end of March. Matt also won the Valspar and finished runner-up at Sawgrass so this is absolutely the in-form duo. They’ve teamed up in this event three times previously, producing finishes of MC-11-19.

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Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak (+1600) at BetMGM

The two Americans took victory here 12 months ago and reprise their partnership. Griffin, in particular, really used it as a springboard as he went on to claim victories at the Charles Schwab Challenge and the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico before making a Ryder Cup debut. He’s not found those same heights this year (33rd at both The Masters and the RBC Heritage in his last two starts sum that up) but Novak has hit some strong form in April.

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Karl Vilips/Michael Thorbjornsen to Win

The Indonesian-born Aussie and the Californian with Norwegian and Zimbabwean parents didn’t look the most obvious partnership last year to those not in the know.

But these two were on the same golf team at Stanford so were very familiar with each other’s games.

And it showed. Vilips and Thorbjornsen played some excellent golf to finish in a tie for fourth.

Vilips is already a PGA Tour winner after landing the 2025 Puerto Rico Open - an event where results correlate well with this one - while Thorbjornsen continues to suggest he’s a future superstar.

Both were tied 33rd at Hilton Head last week after four sub-par rounds from Vilips and a closing 65 from Thorbjornsen. 

Back them to shine in tandem again with an each-way bet (1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6) at +1600 with BetMGM.

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Griffin/Novak for Top 5 

With match betting limited here, let’s switch to Top 5 for our second bet.

Ben Griffin hasn’t been able to back up his brilliant 2025 so far but there are some good signs.

He was 12th going into the final round at The Masters on his Augusta debut before slipping late and he’s generally just a few poor holes away from another big finish.

Perhaps he’s been pushing too hard but this is the perfect time to let golf come to him.

Novak’s return to form looks ideal timing for another big run here.

So far in April, the 31-year-old has posted 14th at the Texas Open and 16th at last week’s Heritage where he twice shot 65 and was sixth after 54 holes.

In a volatile event, perhaps asking for a repeat win is ambitious but they’re very capable of cracking the top five again at +350 with BetMGM.

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Penge/Wallace for Top 10

English duo Marco Penge and Matt Wallace could definitely do some damage in a format like this.

Penge has shown flashes of his potential on his debut PGA Tour season, the highlight a fourth place at the Valspar. 

It’s his first time at the Zurich but Wallace has a couple of 25s here so knows what’s needed.

Wallace was runner-up at the Texas Open earlier this month so brings form to the table too.

Back the pair for a Top 10 at +188 with BetMGM Sportsbook.

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How to Watch the Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2026

• Tournament: Zurich Classic of New Orleans

• Location: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, LA

• Date: Thursday, April 23 - Sunday, April 26

• How to watch: Thursday-Friday 3 p.m.-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), Saturday-Sunday 1 p.m.-3 p.m (Golf Channel), 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+), and all four days on Sky Sports