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Quick hits about the new Zurich Classic format

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Good news for those who love team golf events: the PGA Tour will satisfy your needs this week in New Orleans with a new format at the Zurich Classic. Here's what you need to know about the tournament.

Essentials

The new-format event takes place at TPC Louisiana between Thursday and Sunday. The par-72 course is a Pete Dye design that can play over 7,400 yards.

2016 Rankings

  • Hardest hole - The par-4 12th (4.221 scoring average)
  • Easiest hole - The par-5 seventh (4.474 scoring average)

Background

The first edition of the tournament took place in 1938, and it's been held annually since 1958, with Billy Casper claiming the $2,800 winner's paycheck that year. The 2016 champion, Brian Stuard, took home $1.2 million for the win, the last time it was an individual contest.

Format

In November, the PGA Tour announced the tournament would become a two-man event consisting of 80 teams in the field. Foursomes (alternating shots) will be featured in the first and third rounds, while four-ball (best ball) will be played in Rounds 2 and 4. The field will be cut to the top 35 (including ties) on Friday.

Past winners in the field

Year Player
2016 Brian Stuard
2015 Justin Rose
2014 Noh Seung-yul
2013 Billy Horschel
2012 Jason Dufner
2011 Bubba Watson
2010 Jason Bohn
2009 Jerry Kelly
2007 Nick Watney
2002 K.J. Choi

FAQ's

What is the size of the total purse?

  • The purse is $7.1 million, the same amount as the Quicken Loans.

Is the event classified as an official PGA Tour event?

  • Yes, players from the winning team will receive a two-year exemption on tour.

Are FedEx Cup points awarded?

  • Yes, each each winning player will receive 400 FedEx Cup points.

Notable teams

Player 1 Player 2
Jordan Spieth Ryan Palmer
Jason Day Rickie Fowler
Justin Rose Henrik Stenson
Justin Thomas Bud Cauley
Bubba Watson J.B. Holmes
Patrick Reed Patrick Cantlay
Daniel Berger Thomas Pieters
Tyrrell Hatton Jamie Donaldson
Russell Knox Kevin Streelman
Louis Oosthuizen Branden Grace
Brooks Koepka Chase Koepka
Charley Hoffman Nick Watney
Luke Donald Jamie Lovemark
Jason Dufner Patton Kizzire
Billy Horschel Matt Every
Smylie Kaufman Harold Varner III
David Hearn Graham DeLaet
Bryson DeChambeau Rory Sabbatini
Tony Finau Daniel Summerhays
Fabian Gomez Jhonattan Vegas
Cody Gribble Jim Herman
Mackenzie Hughes Nick Taylor
Hideki Matsuyama Hideto Tanihara
Kevin Chappell Gary Woodland
Ollie Schniederjans Ricky Werenski

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