PGA Preview: 2012 Zurich Classic

PGA Tour The PGA Tour is in Louisiana this week for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.  This week's field is stronger than the field for last week's Valero Texas Open, especially with the likes of Masters Champion Bubba Watson and world #2 Luke Donald in the field. Of course the ever steady Steve Stricker is among those who could contend this week.  Other players which should perform well this week (and would be good fantasy picks) include Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Graeme McDowell. Course The golf course for the Zurich Classic is the par-72 TPC Louisiana.  The golf course was designed by Pete Dye and opened in 2003.  Dye as you may know, designed another famous TPC Course which the tour will see in a couple of weeks, TPC Sawgrass.  TPC Louisiana is on the more difficult side on tour, ranking 20th out of 51 in difficulty.  That is despite the fact that the course is shorter now than it was back in 2005 by about 180 yards.  The course record is 64. Word on the street is that the course is a bit wet and playing soft.  That will favor the longer hitters, unless conditions dry out later in the week.

Thu, 4/26: GOLF 3p - 6p ET

Fri, 4/27: GOLF 3p - 6p ET

Sat, 4/28: CBS 3p - 6p ET

Sun, 4/29: CBS 3p - 6p ET

Off This Week Quiet week on the other men's tours.  Both the Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour are off this week. LPGA Tour The LPGA Tour is in Mobile, Alabama for the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic.  The host venue this week for the women is the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Magnolia Grove. Yes, that name is a bit long.  The course measures out at 6,521 yards and a par of 72. Defending champ Maria Hjorth looks to defend her 2011 title against a field which will not include #1 player Yanti Tseng or #5 Ai Miyazato. Tournament television times are in the afternoons Thursday through Sunday this week on Golf Channel.