Quick hits about the new Zurich Classic format
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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