2022 PGA Tour Zurich Classic Sleepers and Longshot Picks for Team Event

• The 2022 Zurich Classic from from TPC Louisiana begins on Thursday (April 21st)
• Will Zalatoris and Davis Riley are an intriguing longshot pairing to win at +3500
• Read below for our favorite sleepers and longshots in the outright, T10 and T20 markets

For the second time in the last five weeks, the PGA Tour is abandoning its traditional tournament format. This week, teams of two will will compete at TPC Louisiana for the Zurich Classic title, with rounds being split between best ball and alternate shot.

Familiarity playing this style of event is definitely beneficial, but not necessarily imperative. For example, Cameron Smith, a staple on the International Team for the President’s Cup, has won this tournament twice in the four times it’s been contested as a partner event. On the flip side, Justin Suh and Doug Ghim showed up for the first time to TPC Louisiana last year and finished T11.

We’re banking on a couple first-timers making this the site of their maiden victories on the PGA Tour this week, as our betting card starts with Will Zalatoris and Davis Riley at +3500.

2022 Zurich Classic Odds

Odds as of April 19th at DraftKings 

If you wanted to take a look at the favorites, the team of Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland are +650 in the 2022 Zurich Classic odds.

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Zalatoris and Riley Full of Firepower

The duo are two of the bright up and comers on the PGA Tour. Even casual golf bettors are familiar with Zalatoris, who’s been a staple on the leaderboard at Augusta National over the past two years, but Riley is definitely no slouch.

I have a good feeling about this week. @TrackingWillyZ #TeamRileytoris pic.twitter.com/YZ3KzlXd36

— Davis Riley Tracker (@riley_tracker) April 18, 2022

He’s a top-20 scorer in this field over the past 50 rounds, and although he’s a volatile player, when he’s on his game is electric. Look no further than his third round performance last month at the Valspar for proof. He fired a 9-under par round of 62 on Saturday at Copperhead, widely considered one of the toughest venues on Tour.

The volatility shouldn’t scare anyone away this week, as it’s the perfect style of play for the best ball format. Riley is going to make a ton of birdies, and his wayward holes can be nullified by Zalatoris’ stability. Zalatoris ranks first in the field over the past 50 rounds in strokes gained tee to green, second in ball striking and fourth in bogey avoidance.

Will Zalatoris is so awesome pic.twitter.com/mftp6oPBFl

— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) May 14, 2021

As for scoring, only ten players in the field have gained more birdies over the past 50 rounds than Zalatoris.

• Pick: Zalatoris/Riley to Win (+3500)

Mitchell and Snedeker Are Sneaky Sleepers

Moving over to the top-10 market, we’ll find Keith Mitchell and Brandt Snedeker at +500. The duo finished tied for fourth at this tournament last year, and are both playing pretty solid golf at the moment, especially Mitchell.

Keith Mitchell making golf look easy. 🐦 #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/fbRr28JZZN

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 10, 2017

The 30-year-old has racked up four top-10’s this season already, and an additional three top-13 results. He’s gained at least 4.1 strokes tee-to-green in five of his past eight tournaments, while Bermuda greens, like they feature at TPC Louisiana, are his best putting surface.

Snedeker meanwhile, has been a little more volatile than Mitchell, but he’s flashed a high ceiling multiple times this season including two starts ago at the Valero.

Brandt Snedeker with an INCREDIBLE shot from the stands. 😳pic.twitter.com/S8J0EppU2b

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) March 7, 2019

He gained 11 strokes tee-to-green that week, and is known as one of the most consistent short game players on Tour, which is a huge bonus in the alternate shot format.

Pick: Mitchell/Snedeker Top-10 (+500)

Top 20 Value Picks

1. Noren/Norlander (+220): Team Sweden is a screaming value at +220 in the T20 market. The duo finished T21 last season, despite a disappointing 2-over par round of 74 on Sunday. Noren has grinded out three top-12 results in his past six starts, and ranks eighth in the field in strokes gained approach over the past 24 rounds.
2. Brown/Kisner (+220): Purely a history play. These two grew up playing golf together and have finished T15 or better in three of their past four starts together at this event.