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Rory McIlroy will make his debut in the Zurich Classic this week, as the Northern Irishman pairs up with Shane Lowry.

The tournament is celebrating 20 years of Zurich as title sponsor, and it’s acquired quite the field for the occasion.

Fans will see Patrick Cantlay team up with Xander Schauffele, Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick join forces and even a Ryder Cup winning combination of Luke Donald and Francesco Molinari.

Played in Louisiana, the tournament began in 1938 and has been held annually since 1958.

It was a regular PGA Tour event until 2017, when the team aspect was introduced, and the winner was decided by two rounds of foursomes and fourballs.

The format was tweaked the following year and has remained unaltered since, meaning teams play fourball for rounds one and three, and alternate shot for rounds two and four.

One member of each team is chosen via the Tour priority rankings, while his partner must either be a PGA Tour member or earn entry through a sponsor exemption.

Meanwhile, the event doesn’t award Masters invitations or world ranking points.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a healthy prize fund up for grabs, though, so here is everything you need to know about this year’s Zurich Classic…

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Zurich Classic of New Orleans details

Course: TPC Louisiana, Avondale

Course Stats: Par 72 Yards 7,442

Defending Champion: Nick Hardy and Davis Riley

Purse: $8,600,000

Winner’s Share: $2,485,400 ($1,242,700 each)

Zurich Classic of New Orleans betting tips

Here’s how the bookies have priced the field…

Cantlay/Schauffele 9/2

McIlroy/Lowry 8/1

Theegala/Zalatoris 9/1

Morikawa/Kitayama 16/1

Hojgaard/Hojgaard 22/1

Conners/Pendrith 25/1

Fitzpatrick/Fitzpatrick 25/1

The bunkered Bet

Corey Conners & Taylor Pendrith 25/1

A Canadian duo almost lifted the trophy last year and in Conners and Pendrith, the nation could go one better. Conners is yet to miss a cut this season and while Pendrith hasn’t been firing, his hot putter will be a huge asset.

Please gamble responsibly.

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