Twenty-five of the top-50 players in the 2013 PGA Tour FedExCup Standings highlight a field competing for the $1.1 million first-prize at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The field is headlined by Jason Dufner, the returning champion who used his first PGA Tour victory in New Orleans to springboard his 2012 season where he managed to finish in the top 10 six more times, including another victory at the Byron Nelson Championship.

Dufner has had a so-so start for the 2013 season, managing four top-25 finishes in nine starts. If history can repeat itself, the Zurich tournament may be the turn-around event for Dufner once again.

Other players to watch out for

Justin Rose has played well in his five official starts this season, earning top-10 honors in three of those tournaments. Rose has been a model of consistency over the past two seasons and is regularly billed as one of the favorites to win a major championship. He looks to win his first victory of 2013 in New Orleans, a tournament where he tied for 10th in 2012.

Rickie Fowler is also one to watch as he has impressed critics this season with three top 10s and only one missed cut in 2013. He currently sits in 35th place in the FedExCup Standings, and is hoping for a second-career Tour win in the Bayou where he tied for 10th last year.

Bubba Watson won the Zurich Classic in 2011, beating Webb Simpson in a playoff. TPC Louisiana typically rewards long hitters with a good touch around the greens,and low scores are available for those willing to take chances on the par 5s. This suits Bubba’s game perfectly and it woudn’t be surprising if he finishes at least in the top 5 this weekend.

A 14-year-old phenom

The most notable entry this weekend will be 14-year-old Guan Tianlag, who will make his second career Tour start after an impressive showing at the Masters. He made the cut at Augusta, winning low amateur honors with a final score of 12-over, good enough for 58th place overall.

Tianlang is the youngest player to ever be invited to the Masters and he didn’t disappoint onlookers, beat writers and fellow competitors who thought his inexperience could prove overwhelming at the most famous tournament in golf. Instead, Tianlang played a solid 72 holes in which he didn’t score any hole worse than a bogey and did not three-putt once on the undulating greens of Augusta National.

The debate continues on whether competing at this level of competition will help or hurt his game, but a top-30 finish could quiet his critics who believe Tianlang should just stick to dominating players at his age level — those who aren’t old enough to drive a vehicle or indulge in a post-round beer.