Round 1 plays (2pts):
Steve Stricker to beat Billy Horschel -105 @ 5Dimes
A win and two missed cuts in this event in the last three years rather sums up Horschel's unpredictability and the same has been the case recently - he finished 3rd in the Texas Open, but has failed to finish in the top-40 in any other event since the Phoenix Open in January. Stricker has a very good, consistent record in this event, finished 28th in The Masters - his first start in six months - and despite his virtual semi-retirement, he still competes consistently at a much higher level than Horschel - he leads him 11-1-0 h2h over their last 12 common strokeplay events.
Justin Rose to beat Jason Day -105 @ 5Dimes
The Masters was confirmation that Rose's game was returning to its previous level, while also confirming that Day's was not at the level that it was in January-December. With Day skipping this event since 2009 (his course record reads mc-32nd) and Rose finishing 10th-15th-8th in the last three years, it is clear which player believes that TPC Louisiana suits his game. With the addition of their recent form, it should be Rose installed as the favourite in this matchup.
Charles Howell to beat Daniel Berger -110 @ 5Dimes [also available @ SkyBet]
Berger's form is another that has dipped since the start of the year when he had four top-15 finishes in six starts; since then he has had just one in his last five and only two of those five where finishes inside the top-70. Making his course debut, he is one to oppose with Howell who has shown some very good form recently (apart from a couple of missed cuts) and already has two runner-up finishes in this event.
[unofficial rd1 system play: Merrick tb Hadley -110]