Zurich Classic: News, odds, and our picks.

Good Afternoon. Welcome to Shanks. We're like a strong wind coming to blow the stink off of Bourbon Street just in time for the Zurich Classic, much needed.

Here's what we've got for ya today:

• Doin Lines: Zurich Classic

• We asked AI to rank the best golf courses in America.

• Golf Shots Heard Round The World

• Golf Data

• For The Group Chat

• Golf Thing We'd Buy If We Weren't Broke

We've got a little variety in the tour schedule this week. It's one of those rare weeks in the PGA where the focus shifts from individual play to team play. We've got a defending duo, a pair of brothers, and some new teams in the field too.

First, let's talk about the format:

"The most important thing to follow through the first two days at TPC Louisiana is how the scoring works – and who will make an early move. Each two-man team will start by playing Four-ball (best ball) on Thursday, often leading to the lowest scores of the week. For Friday’s second round, the teams will revert to Foursomes (alternate shot). After the cut is made – only 33 teams and ties find the weekend – they will play Four-ball again before the Sunday drama unfolds with Foursomes." - PGA Tour

🚩 Location: TPC Louisiana

💰 Purse: $8.6m, with the winners earning $1,242,700 each.

👑 Previous Winner: Xander Schauffle & Patty Cake Cantlay

⛳️ Field: 80 pairs

👀 Watch On: Thursday-Friday, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (CBS)

Let's Gamble

According to Jason Sobel at Action Network

"Since this event became a two-man format in 2017, a team with shorter pre-tournament odds has won every time – from 100/1 that first year to 40/1 the next year to 16/1 then 12/1 and finally 9/1 last year. What does this tell us? The better teams are figuring out how to find success here, essentially making two strong players tougher to beat than just one in a regular stroke-play event. Don’t be surprised if that trend continues this week."

So, the strong teams win. That simple, right?

That's probably why Vegas has Cantlay & Schauffle at Tiger Woods-esque odds at +300 to repeat as champs. They won last year with a combined -29. They've both been playing high quality golf recently as well. It's difficult to fade them.

Billy Horschel and Sam Burns have played this event together a few times and finished two strokes behind X man and Cantlay last year. They are +1800, which feels like much better value.

A new twosome has entered the fray in the form of California kids Max Homa and Colin Morikawa. They are currently +750.

The Bros Fitzpatrick are teaming up. Matt just won the RBC Heritage and last years US Open, and he's teaming up with his brother, Alex, who could earn his tour card with a team win. What a cool experience that must be for brothers.

Young guns Sahith Theegala and Justin Suh are paired up for the first time.

💰Shanks Picks💰

Outright Winners: 

Morally, I can't bet on a guy who plays as slow as Cantlay, even though he and X are the heavy favorites.

Burns and Horschel +1800 via DK

Top Ten:

Sahith Theegala and Justin Suh +150

Long Shot: I won't bet on the slowest player on tour, but I will take a flier on a guy who plays with two gloves and iron covers. Aaron Rai & David Lipsky +4000

The 150 Best Golf Courses in America According to ChatGPT.

Before our AI overlords takeover the planet, deem human life unnecessary, and wipe us out, we decided to ask it to rank the best three golf courses in each state. What do you think of the list? Do you dare criticize A.I.?

Check the list out here. 

Golf Shots Heard Round The World

Colorado Wins Golf Lottery: The owners of Bandon Dunes are creating a new course about an hour outside Denver.

Reflecting: On a Masters to remember. Firepit Stories.

Brothers Fitz: This week, the Zurich classic has added meaning for the Fitzpatricks. 

Coexist: Does The Masters prove LIV and PGA can peacefully coexist?

Golf Data

For The Group Chat

We also used AI to generate what famous golfers would look like with different hairstyles.

Click the tweet to see the thread.

Golf Thing We'd Buy If We Weren't Broke

With the arrival of the Zurich Classic this week in NOLA, Taylormade is brewing up some fresh headcovers inspired by the city.

Look for them to drop sometime this week.

That's all folks! See you Friday!