2025 Zurich Classic: Odds, Predictions, and Top Picks

• The Zurich Classic of New Orleans from TPC Louisiana tees off Thursday, April 24th
• 80 teams of two golfers compete in four-ball and foursomes format with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry favorites over Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama
• See my 2025 Zurich Classic odds, picks, and best value bets below

After Justin Thomas won the RBC Heritage, the PGA Tour mixes things up this week in Louisiana for the team competition at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. 80 teams of two golfers will vie for the title playing two different formats. Last year, reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry prevailed in a playoff, and they’re back to defend their title.

For Thursday and Saturday rounds, it will be the four-ball (best ball) format with both golfers playing their own ball throughout the hole, and them selecting whoever did better for their score. On Friday and Sunday rounds, it’ll be foursomes (known more commonly as alternate shot), which is much more difficult to score well on. The best 33 teams and ties after the second round will continue forward with the remaining duos missing the cut.

Zurich Classic Odds 2025

It’s no surprise that Rory McIlroy and his three PGA Tour titles in 2025 is the heavy favorite with fellow Irishman Shane Lowry. The quality of the pairings drops off significantly after that, with Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama sporting the second shortest odds to claim the trophy.

Odds as of April 20 at DraftKings. Claim a DraftKings promo code to bet on the Zurich Classic. 

Billy Horschel Loves This Track

Billy Horschel can definitely count TPC Louisiana as a golf course that has been very lucrative for him. It was the site of his first PGA Tour triumph in 2013 as an individual, then he also won here when it was a team format in 2018 with Scott Piercy. He also was runner-up in 2022 and T-4th in 2021, so he’s most definitely a horse for this course.

Past Five Zurich Classic Winners

*There was no 2020 tournament due to COVID-19.

He’s teaming up with Tom Hoge, who was recently T-3rd at the Players Championship, T-5th at the Valero and had a top-15 at the Masters. The Horschel and Hoge pairing should be a rather fruitful one at the Zurich, and at +3000 odds to win outright, you’re getting the tandem with odds longer than the top-seven choices, so it’s significant value.

Zurich Classic 2025 Picks & Value Bets

1. Nick Taylor/Adam Hadwin +3500: The Canadian pairing has been fantastic at this event in the past, putting together a solid T-13th in 2019, then was second place in 2023, and backed that up with a tenth place showing in 2024. Taylor knows how to win, having taken five career PGA Tour titles, including three in the last three years, marked by a victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January.
2. Joe Highsmith/Alejandro Tosti +4000: Joe Highsmith won the Cognizant Classic earlier in the campaign, then followed that up with a pair of top-25s. He’s with the fiery Argentinian Alejandro Tosti, who has been T-5th, T-12th and T-2nd the last three times teeing it up. The latter was Sunday’s Corales Puntacana Championship, so he’s coming in with great form.
3. Bud Cauley/Kevin Tway +6500: The headliner in this duo is Bud Cauley, who had three straight top-6’s at the Players Championship, Valspar and Valero before T-32 at the RBC Heritage. He shot a final round 64, the best score of the day. He’s partnered with Kevin Tway, who has a third place result here in 2017, and a T-11th last year.
4. Davis Riley/Nick Hardy +10000: When you get to this long of a shot, clearly it’s unlikely they’ll win, however as a dart throw, I like the Davis Riley/Nick Hardy tandem. Why? They won this tournament two years ago, so I’m totally comfortable at this price wagering that they display the same chemistry that got them a title in 2023.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is one of the most anticipated events on the PGA Tour calendar, and the 2025 edition promises to be no different. With a star-studded field and a unique team format, fans can expect plenty of excitement and drama at TPC Louisiana.

As with any golf tournament, there are always favorites and underdogs when it comes to betting odds. Heading into the 2025 Zurich Classic, some of the top teams to watch out for include defending champions Jon Rahm and Ryan Palmer, who will be looking to repeat their success from the previous year. Other strong contenders include the duo of Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, as well as the team of Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson.

In terms of predictions, it’s always difficult to say for certain who will come out on top in a team event like the Zurich Classic. However, based on recent form and past performances, Rahm and Palmer are certainly a team to watch. Rahm, currently ranked as the number one player in the world, has been in stellar form in recent months and will be a force to be reckoned with. Palmer, a seasoned veteran on the PGA Tour, brings experience and consistency to the partnership.

Another team to keep an eye on is Thomas and Fowler. Both players have had success on the PGA Tour and have shown that they can perform well in team events. Thomas, a former major champion, is known for his ball-striking abilities, while Fowler is a fan favorite with a solid all-around game.

As for top picks, it’s hard to look past the team of McIlroy and Johnson. McIlroy, a four-time major champion, is one of the most talented players in the world and has the ability to take over a tournament at any moment. Johnson, a former world number one, is known for his length off the tee and his ability to make birdies in bunches.

Overall, the 2025 Zurich Classic promises to be an exciting event with plenty of storylines to follow. Whether you’re a fan of golf or just looking to place a bet, be sure to keep an eye on these top teams and players as they battle it out for the title at TPC Louisiana.