GOLF/US TOUR NEW ORLEANS CLASSIC:WORLD NUMBER three Luke Donald will headline the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which gets underway today.
The Englishman and world number five Graeme McDowell lead the field competing at the par-72, 7341-yard TPC Louisiana course, while other big names include world number nine Steve Stricker and rising star Rickie Fowler.
Donald came close to claiming the world’s top ranking on Sunday, but was beaten in a play-off for The Heritage title by American Brandt Snedeker.
That title instead fell to Lee Westwood, with Martin Kaymer slipping to number two.
While he let his chance slip in South Carolina, 33-year-old Donald believes he will have opportunities to sit atop the rankings this season and in the future.
“It would be something great to talk to the grandkids in 30 years’ time and say that you were the best in the world, but I still have a lot of chances to do that,” he said after the play-off defeat.
Gusty conditions are expected in Louisiana throughout the weekend, which looks set to preserve 2010 champion Jason Bohn’s course-record of 18-under-par 270.
The Classic is the penultimate lead-up tournament ahead of May’s Players Championship in Florida.
With in-form Phil Mickelson skipping the event, his absence opens up the chance for someone to claim a confidence-boosting trophy in the build-up to the Players.
K J Choi is grouped with Donald and McDowell for the opening two rounds, and the trio should all threaten in New Orleans.
Snedeker, meanwhile, will aim to continue where he left off, after claiming his second PGA Tour title – his first in nearly four years – on Sunday.
New Orleans
Course: TPC Louisiana.
Length: 7,341 yards. Par: 72.
Prizemoney: €4.35 million, €760,000 for the winner
Field: 156.
Defending champion: Jason Bohn. First played: 1922 when Gene Sarazen was the winner.
Most wins: Billy Casper, Frank Beard, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Chip Beck and Carlos Franco have all won twice.
On TV: Sky Sports 3, 8.0-11.0pm.
Weather: Expected to be mostly sunny but breezy with temperatures in the mid 80s.
