Zurich Classic Preview: Top Teams to Watch in New Orleans with McIlroy-Lowry Favorites

By Michael Thompson

April 30, 2025 at 06:00 PM

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry enter as +350 favorites to defend their Zurich Classic title in New Orleans, the PGA Tour's only team event. The duo, who won last year's tournament in a playoff against Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer, lead the field despite McIlroy reportedly battling a cold. Kurt Kitayama and Collin Morikawa follow as second favorites at +1200.

GOLF Subpar podcast hosts have identified two promising teams for top-10 finishes:

  • J.T. Poston/Keith Mitchell (+170 for top 10)
  • Aaron Rai/Sahith Theegala (+210 for top 10)

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Drew Stoltz particularly favors the Rai/Theegala pairing, citing their complementary skills. Rai leads several key ball-striking statistics and offers exceptional accuracy for alternate-shot format, while Theegala brings elite short-game abilities that could prove crucial for recovery shots.

Their diverse skill sets make them particularly well-suited for the tournament's unique format, where accuracy and short-game prowess can be difference-makers. This combination of talents positions them as strong contenders for a top-10 finish at TPC Louisiana.

Both selected teams offer solid value compared to the tournament favorites, with the potential to outperform their current odds given the unpredictable nature of team competition.

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