Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2025: Predictions, Best Bets

Ryan Hannable Apr 22, 2025, 8:21 AM

min read

Shane Lowry, of Ireland, shakes hands with Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, on the 18th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Pittsford, N.Y.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is April 24-27.
It is the lone team event on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry are the defending champions and have good value again.

Following the Masters and a PGA Tour signature event with the RBC Heritage, it will be a bit of a different event this week.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is the lone team event on the PGA Tour.

The pairs will play a best ball on Thursday, followed by an alternate shot on Friday. The top 33 teams and ties will then advance to Saturday. Over the weekend, the pairs will play a best ball Saturday and alternate shot on Sunday.

Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have the best odds to win at +350.

There isn’t anything too quirky about TPC Louisiana, and given the team format, it’s difficult to rely on metrics.

I will be keeping it very simple this week as I am not a fan of the event from a golf betting perspective, especially given the weak field. It’s just hard to find much value.

*odds as of April 22

Zurich Classic of New Orleans Prediction

Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry are expected to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a 22.22% implied probability, according to betting markets. Collin Morikawa/Kurt Kitayama are next at 7.69%.

Implied probability is the overall chance of a potential outcome in relation to the odds.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans Best Bets

Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry Outright Winner (+350)

While the price isn’t great, it’s hard to find much value in any other pairs in this event.

McIlroy is easily the best player in the field, and Lowry is in the top five, maybe even top three. Against a relatively weak field, finding a team capable of beating McIlroy and Lowry is no easy task.

It is worth wondering how sharp McIlroy is following a week off after winning the Masters and going home to Northern Ireland, while this will be Lowry’s third straight week teeing it up.

With that being said, it should be another relaxing and fun week for the two, which was the case last year when they beat Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer in a playoff.

If McIlroy is even above average for him and Lowry plays up to his standard, it’s hard to imagine the team not in contention come Sunday afternoon.