The Zurich Classic in New Orleans is the only official team event on the PGA Tour, and the latest episode of the 2025 season is once again held at Louisiana TPC.
The annual gathering brings a welcome twist and the usual game, which is 80 two-team teams participating in two alternating four-ball and four-man teams.
The event has been a fan favorite since its inception, providing a different atmosphere from the dramas of Augusta Nationals in the previous two weeks.
2025 Masters champion Rory McIlroy is one of the contestants in New Orleans this weekend as he once again competed with Shane Lowry as the defending champion, and the two won the match in 2024.
The festive atmosphere in “Big Relaxation”, coupled with the strategic and scenic Louisiana course, makes it the funniest stop on the PGA Tour.
The Zurich Classic New Orleans team elements will offer different wonders, but what other crazy facts make this much-loved event?
Revival of team competitions on the PGA Tour
In 2017, the Zurich Classic in New Orleans announced that the competition will be reintroduced to the PGA Tour calendar for the first time since 1981.
It has been a personal stroke championship for decades, so the event’s revival has changed its recognition, ratings, and has caused a real buzz over the past eight seasons.
The platform of the future stars
The event is often a launch pad for emerging talents, allowing them to compete with the best in a more relaxed team environment.
2023 champions Nick Hardy and Davis Riley are famous examples of the success of the New Orleans Zurich Classic can be against the careers of emerging stars.
Despite the fun in the game, the victory brings considerable benefits, including 400 FedEx Cup points, two-year PGA Tour waivers and direct access to the PGA Championship – not a bad incentive.
Tipsy lunch with McIlroy and Lowry
McIlroy and Lowry's winning partnership last season came in the celebration of “Drunk Lunch” after the Ryder Cup.
It was a game in heaven, where two friends teamed up to convert their proven chemistry into a golf course, ending up with a tense playoff victory.
Their title emphasizes the fun spirit of the event, and now McIlroy has made his debut since winning an exciting victory at the Augusta National as the couple tries to bring more joy to Irish golf by defending their championship.
Family Affairs
Sibling pairing has always been a regular feature of Zurich Classic New Orleans, providing families with a valuable opportunity to compete with their competitors.
This weekend, the 160 realm has three siblings, Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick, and Yannik and Jeremy Paul, Tee in the name of brotherhood.
The family pairing brings more warmth to the event, which makes customers and TV viewers laugh in 72 holes.
TPC Louisiana's elastic design
Located below sea level, the Louisiana TPC presents a series of logistical challenges in retaining the prestigious course and its drainage.
Pete Dye, the iconic PGA tour designer, created the course and underwent a major renovation to address the growing flooding problem.
Despite the ongoing geographical challenges, progressive drainage and elevated fairways keep the activity growing.
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