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The PGA Tour is rolling into the Big Easy, and this year’s Zurich Classic brings something special: it’s Rory McIlroy’s first tournament since he slipped on the green jacket at The Masters.
Pairing up with Shane Lowry, McIlroy headlines a stacked field for this two-man team event that always offers a fun wrinkle in the golf schedule. Whether you’re betting on golf for the first time or looking to sharpen your angles, we’ve got you covered.
For more PGA action and insights, be sure to check out our PGA Tour coverage and our full golf betting guide.
Where Is The Zurich Classic Played At?
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is played at TPC Louisiana, a Pete Dye-designed course nestled along the Mississippi River delta. This par-72, 7,400-yard track has hosted the tournament since 2005, offering a scenic and strategic test for the PGA’s best duos.
Known for its risk-reward holes and swampy hazards, the course always keeps things interesting. The team element also adds a unique twist in the dog days of the PGA Tour calendar.
How To Watch The Zurich Classic?
You can catch the Zurich Classic action on the Golf Channel and CBS throughout the weekend. For streaming, fans can use Peacock or the CBS Sports app to follow along in real-time. Coverage typically starts Thursday morning and runs through Sunday’s final putt.
What Is The Zurich Classic Payout?
The 2025 Zurich Classic purse is set at $9.2 million, with the winning team splitting just over $1 million each. This event not only pays well but also awards FedEx Cup points, making it a crucial stop for players chasing season-long glory.
Who Won the 2024 Zurich Classic?
The 2024 Zurich Classic was won by the Northern Irish duo of McIlroy and Lowry, who toppled the lesser-known tandem of Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer in a playoff.
This year, Rory and Lowry will look to become the first duo to ever win the Zurich Classic in consecutive years.In news that should surprise exactly nobody, they’re the early favorites at +360.
The Zurich Classic Odds
Check out the latest Zurich Classic odds:
Zurich Classic Odds | Zurich Classic Odds |
---|---|
Rory McIlroy / Shane Lowry (+360) | Kurt Kitayama / Collin Morikawa (+1200) |
Thomas Detry / Robert MacIntyre (+1800) | J.T. Poston / Keith Mitchell (+1800) |
Taylor Moore / Wyndham Clark (+2000) | Andrew Novak / Ben Griffin (+2200) |
Aaron Rai / Sahith Theegala (+2200) | Billy Horschel / Tom Hoge (+2500) |
Rasmus Hojgaard / Nicolai Hojgaard (+2800) | Brice Garnett / Sepp Straka (+3000) |
Thorbjorn Olesen / Matt Wallace (+3500) | Nick Taylor / Adam Hadwin (+3500) |
Jesper Svensson / Niklas Norgaard (+3500) | Michael Thorbjornsen / Karl Vilips (+4000) |
Joseph Bramlett / Alex Smalley (+4000) | Alejandro Tosti / Joe Highsmith (+4000) |
Max Greyserman / Nico Echavarria (+4000) | Laurie Canter / Jordan Smith (+4000) |
Akshay Bhatia / Carson Young (+4000) |
The oddsmakers clearly expect McIlroy and Lowry to keep the momentum going, listing them as heavy favorites. However, there’s value to be found further down the board with some elite pairings at longer odds. For more insight from the best handicappers and the latest reviews of sports betting sites, check out our dedicated pages.
The Zurich Classic Favorites
The following golfers are considered the tournament favorites, according to the latest Zurich Classic odds:
Shane Lowry / Rory McIlroy
Let’s be honest—these two could probably win a beer pong tournament if they teamed up. But their real claim to fame? They’re the defending Zurich Classic champions, returning after their stellar run in 2023. The synergy was undeniable then, and there’s no reason to expect anything different now. Lowry and McIlroy leaned heavily on their friendship and complementary styles to clinch the title last year.
Recent form? Oh, they’ve got that covered. McIlroy enters New Orleans fresh off his 2025 Masters victory, marking his second win of the season after also taking home the trophy at Pebble Beach. He’s been top five in three of his last four starts, including a win at THE PLAYERS, and that kind of hot streak is tough to ignore.
As for Lowry, don’t let his quieter results fool you. He’s had a runner-up finish at Pebble Beach and a top-10 at the Valspar, showing flashes of his best golf. While he hasn’t grabbed a win yet this year, his consistency and McIlroy’s firepower are a perfect match for this format. The fact that they’ve already won here as a team? That’s just icing on the beignet.
Their +360 odds might not offer a huge payout, but sometimes betting on the best team is the sharpest play.
Kurt Kitayama / Collin Morikawa
If you’re looking for a pairing that oozes potential, look no further than Morikawa and Kitayama. Morikawa’s iron game is still one of the sharpest on tour—he’s posted top-10 finishes at THE PLAYERS and the Arnold Palmer Invitational this season, and he’s knocking on the door for a win. His runner-up finishes at The Sentry and Arnold Palmer suggest he’s overdue for some hardware.
Kitayama? Well, it’s been a rollercoaster. He’s missed a few cuts this year, but his talent isn’t in question. A T33 at THE PLAYERS and T39 at Houston show he’s capable of stringing together solid rounds, and in a team format, that volatility can be smoothed out with the steady hand of Morikawa. Their pairing is one of the more intriguing ones due to their contrasting styles—precision meets power.
With Morikawa carrying the consistency and Kitayama capable of fireworks, their +1200 odds could look like a steal come Sunday. They might not be the safe bet, but they’re certainly a high-upside one.
Thomas Detry / Robert MacIntyre
At +1800, this European duo is quietly one of the more dangerous teams in the field. They proved as much last year when they fired a blistering 62 in the opening round of the Zurich Classic, reminding everyone that this format suits their aggressive styles. They’ve got chemistry and aren’t afraid to go low together.
Looking at recent form, MacIntyre is showing plenty of life. A T6 at the WM Phoenix Open and a top-10 at THE PLAYERS demonstrate he’s trending in the right direction. Sure, there were a couple of missed cuts sprinkled in, but his T15 at The Sentry and consistent scoring elsewhere show he’s not far off.
Detry, meanwhile, has shown flashes of brilliance this season. He bagged a solo win at the WM Phoenix Open and logged a T5 at The Sentry, showing he can contend on big stages. While he’s had a couple of missed cuts along the way, his strong performances at high-profile events make him a key piece of this partnership, and while he hasn’t quite broken through yet, his solid ball-striking gives him the chance to shine in a team setup. Together, they offer a sneaky combo of MacIntyre’s fire and Detry’s consistency—perfect for a format that rewards both aggression and steadiness.
Their +1800 odds feel generous considering their upside. If they recapture that Zurich mojo from last year’s opening round, they could easily find themselves in the mix come Sunday.
The Best Zurich Classic Betting Value
The following golfers offer betting value based on their Zurich Classic odds, current season to date, and previous results in this tournament:
Aaron Rai / Sahith Theegala (+2200)
This is one of those pairings that just feels right. Rai brings the laser-guided accuracy off the tee, ranking among the best in fairways hit this season, while Theegala brings the swagger and creativity, able to turn any hole into highlight reel material. This pairing is all about mixing steady with spectacular.
Rai’s recent T4 at the Mexico Open and solid finishes at THE PLAYERS (T14) and Arnold Palmer Invitational (T11) show his game is trending up. Meanwhile, Theegala’s season has been a bit streaky—he’s had some missed cuts—but a T17 at The Genesis and a top-30 at The Masters prove he can show up when the lights are brightest.
Together, they’re a perfect yin and yang, and at +2200, they offer value that could easily pay off if they click at TPC Louisiana.
Taylor Moore / Wyndham Clark (+2000)
This duo might not get the same headlines as others, but they’ve got the firepower to make noise. Clark, last year’s U.S. Open champ, is capable of going low any given week, and Moore’s recent T9 at the WM Phoenix Open proves he’s not just along for the ride. Their partnership thrives on blending Clark’s explosive game with Moore’s steadiness.
Clark’s T5 at the Houston Open and solid showings at THE PLAYERS and Valspar show he’s rounding into form. Moore, meanwhile, has posted a T9 at Phoenix and T7 at The American Express this season, proving he can hang with the big boys. Together, they offer a balanced attack that could thrive in this format.
At +2000, they bring both pedigree and potential.
The Top Zurich Classic Longshot
Looking for a spicy longshot?
Jesper Svensson / Niklas Norgaard (+3500) might just be the ticket. While they aren’t the flashiest duo in the field, they bring solid complementary games and enough experience to pull off an upset. Svensson’s season has been highlighted by a T10 at the Sony Open and a steady T32 at the Cognizant Classic, showing he can string together competitive rounds.
Norgaard, meanwhile, hasn’t made as much noise on the PGA Tour this year, but his T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour shows he can contend when he finds his groove. While his stateside results have been hit or miss, including a T25 at the Cognizant Classic, that international success gives this pairing some hidden upside.
At +3500, they’re the definition of a sleeper pick. If Svensson finds his rhythm and Norgaard taps into his Dubai form, they could shock a few folks and make a deep run at TPC Louisiana.
The Zurich Classic Predictions
Predicting a winner in a team event can be tricky, but we’re going with Kurt Kitayama / Collin Morikawa as our golf picks to pull off the upset over the defending champs. Sure, Rory and Lowry are the flashy pick—and rightly so—but sometimes the smart money is on the team that brings balance and upside. Morikawa is long overdue for a win with two runner-up finishes this season, and Kitayama, while volatile, has the raw power to flip this event on its head.
The real edge comes from how their games mesh. Morikawa’s precision with irons and ability to consistently hit greens in regulation can take pressure off of Kitayama, who can unleash his driver without fear. This complementary style plays perfectly in alternate shot formats, where minimizing mistakes is key. It’s like pairing a chess grandmaster with a poker shark—calculated aggression with a safety net.
Let’s not forget, Morikawa has proven himself on the biggest stages, including major championships, and Kitayama has shown he can hang tough when it matters most. With their +1200 odds offering plenty of value compared to Rory and Lowry’s chalky price, Kitayama and Morikawa are poised to surprise the field.
Best Bet: Collin Morikawa / Kurt Kitayama (+1200)
The Best Zurich Classic Prop Bets
The following PGA Tour prop bets are courtesy of Bet365:
Best Top 5 Finish
They’re the favorites for a reason. A top 5 feels like the floor for this duo.
Bet: Shane Lowry / Rory McIlroy (+120)
Best Top 10 Finish
Their combined skill set should keep them in the hunt all weekend.
Bet: Aaron Rai / Sahith Theegala (+200)
To Play in Final Pairing
If they get hot early, they’ve got the chops to hang around for Sunday’s finale. I think they’re good bets to win, and I expect them to play in the final group on Sunday.
Bet: Kurt Kitayama / Collin Morikawa (+400)
Zurich Classic Winners
The following is a list of the most recent Zurich Classic winners:
Year | Winner |
---|---|
2024 | Rory McIlroy / Shane Lowry |
2023 | Davis Riley / Nick Hardy |
2022 | Patrick Cantlay / Xander Schauffele |
2021 | Marc Leishman / Cameron Smith |
2020 | Canceled (COVID-19) |
2019 | Ryan Palmer / Jon Rahm |
2018 | Billy Horschel / Scott Piercy |
2017 | Jonas Blixt / Cameron Smith |
2016 | Brian Stuard |
2015 | Justin Rose |