Zurich Classic Releases Pairings and Tee Times for Rounds 1 and 2

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a unique team event on the PGA Tour, has released the pairings and tee times for Round 1 (Four-Ball) on Thursday and Round 2 (Foursomes) on Friday at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. The tournament features a field of 80 two-player teams who will compete in a format of fourball in the first and third rounds, and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and fourth rounds.

Notable duos teeing it up include Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (the defending champions), and Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama. McIlroy and Lowry defeated Cantlay and Schauffele in foursomes at the Ryder Cup and will look to continue their strong partnership. Morikawa, who is paired with Kitayama, is coming off a win at the RBC Heritage last week.

Other intriguing teams to watch include the Canadian duo of Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin, the Fitzpatrick brothers (Matt and Alex), the Coody twins, and the Danish twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard. Will Zalatoris and Sahith Theegala, both rising stars on Tour, have also teamed up and could contend.

The first groups will tee off at 7 a.m. on Thursday for Round 1 Four-Ball and 8:20 a.m. on Friday for Round 2 Foursomes. The winning team will receive 400 FedEx Cup points each and a $1,286,050 share of the $8.9 million purse. Defending champions Davis Riley and Nick Hardy needed to birdie four of their final six holes last year to pull out the title over Canadians Hadwin and Taylor.

Why this matters: The Zurich Classic is the only official FedEx Cup team event on the PGA Tour schedule. It provides a unique format and exciting opportunity for players to partner up and showcase their teamwork and alternate shot skills. With several high-profile duos and rising stars in the field, the tournament should deliver compelling action and storylines.

The Zurich Classic will be broadcast on Golf Channel and CBS, giving fans the chance to watch the action unfold at TPC Louisiana, a Pete Dye designed par-72 course measuring 7,425 yards. "It's going to be a fun week," said Schauffele about teaming up again with Cantlay. "Pat and I are looking forward to defending our title against a lot of really good teams. The format is exciting for players and fans."

Key Takeaways

• Zurich Classic, a unique PGA Tour team event, has released pairings and tee times.
• Notable duos include McIlroy/Lowry, Cantlay/Schauffele (defending champions), Morikawa/Kitayama.
• Other intriguing teams: Taylor/Hadwin, Fitzpatrick brothers, Coody twins, Hojgaard twins.
• The winning team will receive 400 FedEx Cup points and $1,286,050 from the $8.9M purse.
• The event features a unique format of fourball and foursomes, providing exciting action.