| ten |
Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Fitzpatrick |
The youngest of the brothers makes his PGA TOUR debut as a professional this week, while Matt is set to take victory in Harbor Town where the family has many fond memories. It’s a compelling connection that defies quantification. |
| 9 |
Harris English and Tom Hoge |
Hoge is a regular at TPC Louisiana but this is his partner’s first visit since 2019. England’s T2 at Bay Hill relieved some long-term pressure, while Hoge prevailed with Sahith Theegala (below) at QBE Shootout in December. |
| 8 |
Victor Perez and Thomas Detry |
Tournament debutants present a compelling case. Perez, a non-French member, is no stranger to the PGA TOUR and is third in the Race to Dubai. Detry, a Belgian TOUR rookie, is 37th in the FedExCup with three top 10s. |
| 7 |
If Woo Kim and Tom Kim |
If Tom Kim’s debut looks anything like his Presidents Cup foray, it will be a date. He’s not yet a full year into his PGA TOUR career, but he’s one of the most electric. This is Si Woo Kim’s first visit since 2019. |
| 6 |
Kurt Kitayama and Taylor Montgomery |
Former UNLV teammates still live in the area, so they are part of the natural collaborations. Kitayama is still buzzing since his PGA TOUR breakthrough at Bay Hill, while Montgomery continues to pace his rookie class. |
| 5 |
Sahith Theegala and Justin Suh |
With seven top 10 finishes this season, Theegala has found its stride no matter where or how big the competition. He also won the QBE Shootout (with Tom Hoge) in December. The constant Suh placed T11 (with Doug Ghim) here in 2021. |
| 4 |
Sungjae Im and Keith Mitchell |
Since a pair of T2s last summer, Im hasn’t backed down, while Mitchell has been powerful enough to be a threat that won’t go away. They are a 26-for-30 total with eight top 10 finishes this season. Mitchell has partnered with Brandt Snedeker for a Q4 in 2021. |
| 3 |
Collin Morikawa and Max Homa |
It seems unfair that the Cal Berkeley products could team up, but in a total of five starts and with equally capable teammates, neither has recorded a top 15 finish in the format. Yet neither did anything to warrant a quiet week either. |
| 2 |
Sam Burns and Billy Horschel |
No one has fed off the format more than Horschel, and maybe that’s what he needs to free himself from his current funk. These two responded to a T4 in their 2021 duo debut with a runner-up last year. Burns recently won Match Play. |
| 1 |
Xander Schauele & Patrick Cantlay |
The defending champions prove how difficult it is to win as neither has picked up a victory in 2022-23. It’s still a fact about friction because each one was composed differently. Freshly landed from a third (Cantlay) and a fourth (Schauffele) in Harbor Town. |
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