The modification of the Classic of New Orleans, from a 72-hole stroke play event to the current two-man team format, brought a twist to the predictable PGA tour schedule.
This week, pairings will participate in four alternating rounds of foursomes and four-ball.
Last year, Australia’s very own Cameron Smith and Swede Jonas Blixt won a playoff against Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown, indicating a clear correlation between success in the teams format and players with high ceilings and low floors.
TPC Louisiana plays, as it did last year. Water is prominent throughout the course, making ball striking a critical skill. TPC Louisiana measures in at over 7400 yards, making it one of the longest courses played all year. Driving distance, therefore, plays a significant role in determining who will likely have the best opportunity to score the necessary birdies to compete.
The greens are historically flat and lend themselves to a plethora of lengthy putts, which contributes to the substantial number of birdies.
Although most of the players are regulars on the PGA tour, the introduction of less-common players and the mystery surrounding how they will perform as a team makes statistic-based predictions difficult.
As a result, I will give a preview of some of the notable pairings instead of providing predictive statistics.
Cameron Smith and Jonas Blixt
Following their victory last year, Smith affirmed himself inside the world top 50, while Blixt has been searching desperately for form. Both players are in indifferent form, but the obscurity of this format seems to act as a spark.
Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson
The European combo are favourites. The prolific Ryder Cup duo missed the cut at last year’s event, but their class as individuals and a team is proven. Both are terrific ball strikers and are some of the longest hitters on tour.
Rose has been one of the hottest players so far this year, ranking fourth in strokes gained in the last 50 rounds. Henrik has been similarly hot, ranking sixth in strokes gained total and first in strokes gained approach.
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Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen
The South African duo have combined multiple times in the President’s Cup, with mixed success. Both are mercurial and fit the ‘hot and cold’ mould required to have success in this format.
The two are each major champions but their form is sketchy, with neither hitting the ball extremely long – ranking 48th and 54th in this field.
A pair of world-class players, can they efficiently combine?
Jason Day and Ryan Ruffels
Jason Day is an established champion at the peak of his career, boasting a win at Torrey Pines and a second at Pebble Beach so far this year. In contrast, Ryan Ruffels is only 19 and plying his trade on the Latin America tour.
Despite this, both Australians have games suited to this course. Ruffels ranks second in the field for driving distance and Day seventh.
A win here would be enormous for Ryan’s career, providing him with a full-time PGA tour card.
Ruffels shows immense talent, but will he be able to keep up with his superstar partner?
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