Power rankings: Zurich Classic of New Orleans


Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson will look to turn Ryder Cup success into NOLA success. (Getty Images)

This week marks the first time since 1981 that the PGA Tour has an official two-man team event on the schedule. So, as you can imagine, there’s some buzz around the revamped Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Instead of an individual event, 80 two-man teams will take on TPC Louisiana in alternating rounds of alternate shot and best ball to figure out the dominant team.

There are some intriguing twosomes — some based on friendship, others based on bloodline or national origin. No matter the reason why they came together, duos must have chemistry to win.

Here are our top five players for this week:

1. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson: Rose is a stud at this event as an individual, and that should carry some weight. Stenson has always been a great Ryder Cup partner.

2. Jason Day and Rickie Fowler: These guys routinely play the event because of their deal with Zurich. Day has a great record here; Rickie less so. However, Fowler’s playing well overall and Day is still getting into the season.

3. Jordan Spieth and Ryan Palmer: Spieth didn’t play this event as an individual, but he was drawn into the team event idea and got Palmer on his side as part of a bet between caddies.

4. Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen: This should be a great team. Grace is playing terrific golf of late, and Oosthuizen loves playing with his fellow countrymen.

5. Justin Thomas and Bud Cauley: Team Roll Tide should be a fun partnership. Thomas has a T-12 finish here as an individual, and Cauley looked good at the Texas Open.


Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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