Zurich Classic of New Orleans to be first PGA TOUR event with walk-up musicZurich Classic of New Orleans to be first PGA TOUR event with walk-up music
NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Zurich Classic of New Orleans, working in conjunction with the PGA TOUR, announced today it will be the first PGA TOUR event to feature walk-up music. Each two-man team will have an opportunity to select their walk-up song to be played on the first tee at TPC Louisiana as they are introduced for the final two rounds of play on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29. Last year, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans introduced the two-man team format, which features two rounds each of Foursome and Four-Ball competition. The pairing of Cameron Smith and Jonas Blixt won with a birdie on the fourth hole of sudden death against Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown, winning the TOUR’s first official team event since 1981. “Our fans and the players have enthusiastically embraced our team format,â€� said Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the Zurich Classic. “This innovation will try to further enhance the concept and the team atmosphere,â€� Worthy added. “We are continuously looking for fun and innovative ways for our players to connect with fans,â€� said Tyler Dennis, Chief of Operations, PGA TOUR. “Zurich and the Fore!Kids Foundation have been great leaders in bringing new elements to the game of golf. Given the team format and the location being New Orleans, I can’t think of a better event to introduce this on the PGA TOUR,â€� he added. The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is the only team tournament on the PGA TOUR. The 72-hole stroke team-play format features Four-Ball (best ball) during the first and third rounds and Foursomes (alternate shot) during the second and fourth rounds. The starting field will consist of 80 teams. Following the conclusion of the second round, the field will be cut to the low 35 teams and ties. In case of a tie after 72 holes, there will be a sudden-death playoff using Foursomes (alternate shot) for the first extra hole and Four-ball (best ball) for the second extra hole and alternate each hole thereafter. Already committed to the tournament are: new Masters champion Patrick Reed; FedExCup leader Justin Thomas; Jon Rahm, ranked fourth in the world; Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion; Bubba Watson, who has won twice this season and will be playing with Matt Kuchar; U.S. Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk and 2016 Olympic medalists Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.
