Jerry Kelly, who finished last at last week's Verizon Heritage, is the defending champion at this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana, the host course for the last three years.
Ross' Three Off The Tee:-
Steve Marino @ 30/1 Stan James
Pulled out of the Heritage due to his Masters exertions (14th) and that could prove to be a smart move. That Masters finish was his third top-15 in a row, giving him a total of five this year, and he will be feeling good coming into this week, having finished fifth in the 2009 Zurich, where he was tied-8th in GIR and third in putting. Granted, 30/1 is a bit skinny for a Tour maiden but he only lost last season's Crowne Plaza Invitational after a play-off and it's a fair reflection of his chances this week.
Andres Romero @ 70/1 Blue Square
Very much a confidence player and that will have been boosted by a wire-to-wire win in his native Argentina last week. And, previously to that, there were signs that he was returning to the sort of form that won him this title in 2008 on what what was only his 12th Tour start. Back in February, he finished fifth at Riviera and a week later shot four rounds in the 60's to finish tied-14th at Phoenix, so there's more than enough there to warrant an interest at 70/1.
Brian Davis @ 75/1 bet365
The Englishman is a player who stays hot when he finds some form, so last week's play-off loss to Jim Furyk could herald the start of a decent run of results. It was about this time a year ago that he really hit form with fifth place finishes at the Players and Texas Open and second place at the Byron Nelson in consecutive weeks. And, if you believe in karma, he's due a change of luck after calling a two-shot penalty on himself for a rules infringement (that no-one else saw) at the first extra hole on Sunday.
Bubbling Under: Graham DeLaet (110/1 bet365)
The young Canadian has already made a big impression in his first year on Tour with several decent finishes, the best of which was third place at the Shell Houston Open, and he has the game to prosper here.
Punters Beware: Charles Howell
Is a shortish price this week on account of his form in this event (four top-tens in seven starts, including two second places) but often flatters to deceive and last weekend's total of two over par, after a 68-67 start, was yet another lame finish from this underachiever.
Recommended Bets:
Steve Marino 1.5pts each-way @ 30/1 Stan James
Andres Romero 1pt each-way @ 70/1 Blue Square
Brian Davis 1pt each-way @ 75/1 bet365