Sometimes, no matter the motivation, you just need to go for it. Suffice it to say that the inaugural edition of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans as a two-man team competition found the target in 2017. The reaction from the 160-man field was overly positive and Kevin Kisner’s eagle on the last hole of regulation to force a playoff gave the new format its first “moment.” Not too shabby. This year’s groundbreaking introduction at TPC Louisiana is walk-up music chosen by each of the 80 teams. It’s optional, but given the love affair that most (all?) golfers have with other sports in which it’s a constant if not an expectation, and with the tournament’s unique exploration to attract talent and fans, any usual respectful greetings and applause sans tuneage on the opening tees might seem out of place this week. Once again, there are fascinating connections among the commitments. I’ve segregated 10 with intrigue. Scroll beneath the ranking for five others considered as well as more on the format and the host course. POWER RANKINGS: ZURICH CLASSIC OTHERS CONSIDERED Daniel Berger & Gary Woodland Jason Dufner & Pat Perez Rafa Cabrera Bello & Sergio Garcia Russell Knox & Martin Laird Louis Oosthuizen & Charl Schwartzel PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO omits the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, so Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider will be presented in an abridged format. In last year’s foray and in less-than-ideal conditions during the last three rounds, Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith prevailed in a four-hole playoff with Kisner and Scott Brown. Both teams hung up 27-under 261s after two rounds each of alternate shot and best ball. The winners were the only duo in the field without a bogey or worse on their card. They set the bar. Tournament organizers have reversed the alternating order of play this year. Rounds 1 and 3 will be best ball, while alternate shot will be used for Rounds 2 and 4. The low 35 teams and ties at the conclusion of 36 holes will survive the cut. Unlike last year, the secondary (MDF) cut no longer applies. Per standard membership provisions, both winners will receive two-year PGA TOUR exemptions or the customary one-year extension in fully exempt status (not to exceed five years beyond this season) if already exempt through 2019-2020. The winners will also receive berths into THE PLAYERS, PGA Championship and all remaining invitationals this season. They’ll also gain entry into the 2019 Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua. FedExCup points and earnings will be distributed just as ties for any place in the final standings are currently determined. The winners will share first- and second-place values and receive 400 FedExCup points and $1,036,800 apiece. Because of the format, Official World Golf Ranking points are not rewarded. This means that the Zurich Classic of New Orleans essentially is a free play from contributing to one’s divisor. If there was a common thread among the winners and contenders at TPC Louisiana last year, it was variety. All shapes and sizes were represented on the final leaderboard, and that’s exactly what any tournament and every golfer wants. The par-72 stretching 7,425 yards is inviting off the tee. Precision on approach is rewarded properly on greens averaging just 5,225 square feet because they’re segmented with undulations that must be respected. The longest rough is trimmed to two inches. Prepped to run at 12 feet on the Stimpmeter because persistent rainfall often assists in pumping the brakes, the overseeded bermuda greens actually might touch that goal this week. The only reasonable threat for inclement weather is forecast for Thursday’s opening round. Thereafter, drier air will take hold. Daytime highs might not reach 80 degrees and wind is not expected to be a factor throughout. It’s going to be beautiful. In benign conditions, 30 under par cannot be ruled out in this format. All members of the teams that finish inside the top five in the tournament will earn exemptions into next week’s Wells Fargo Championship if not already eligible to compete. ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton covers numerous angles in between tournaments. Look for his following contributions this week. MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Facebook Live, Fantasy Insider WEDNESDAY: One & Done * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
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