PGA Tour Brunch Coverage of Zurich Classic
Australians Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith defeated 54-hole leaders Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa with a par on the first hole of sudden death playoff to mark the first playoff in the event since 2017 when Smith and Jonas Blixt defeated Scott Brown and Kevin Kisner. With the win, Smith becomes the first player to win the event twice in the team format.
Partnering together for the first time, the Australian natives overcame a 1-shot deficit beginning the final round to close with a 2-under (70) and then win with a par on the first extra hole, the par-5 18th.
Runner-up Louis Oosthuizen was seeking his second career PGA Tour win more than 10 years after his 2010 The Open Championship title.
Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay combined for eight birdies in the final round to tie the record for most par-breakers in a Foursomes round since the Zurich Classic of New Orleans became a team event in 2017.
Defending champions Jon Rahm and Ryan Palmer finished seventh at 17-under (271).
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans switched from individual stroke play to the two-man team format in 2017 and is the only official FedExCup team event on Tour.
Zurich Classic Final Leaderboard
Marc Leishman/Cameron Smith 63-72-63-70—268 (-20)*
Louis Oosthuizen/Charl Schwartzel 63-71-63-71—268 (-20)
Richy Werenski/Peter Uihlein 65-69-68-67—269 (-19)
Billy Horschel/Sam Burns 63-73-65-69—270 (-18)
Keith Mitchell/Brandt Snedeker 66-71-64-69—270 (-18)
Keegan Bradley/Brendan Steele 63-73-64-70—270 (-18)
*Won with a par on the first extra hole, the par-5 18th
Full Leaderboard (link)
Prize Money (link)
What They’re Saying About Zurich Classic:
Smith and Leishman Win in Playoff at Zurich Classic (PGATourCom)
South African Duo Loses in Playoff (News24)
What They Made at the Zurich Classic (Golf Week/USA Today)
SportsBiz, Sporting Good and the Golf Industry
What’s in the Winner’s Bags? (Golf Week/USA Today)
Thoughts on Player Impact Program (CBS Sports HQ)
Add a 72-hole Alternate Shot Event? (GolfWeek/USAToday)
Next Up? Valspar Championship
April 29-May 2 at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook. (Palm Harbor, FL)
Tournament Link (HERE)
Inside the Field (Link)
Previous Result (2019) (link)
PGA Tour Brunch will be back in your inbox on Wednesday, April 28th at Noon.
On This Day in Golf History:
April 26, 1981 - Fresh off winning his second Masters, Tom Watson won his 27th PGA Tour event when he took the USF&G Open of New Orleans with a final round (68) to defeat Bruce Fleisher by two strokes. (Courtesy of Randy Walker), Author of On This Day in Golf History, available via Amazon.com and by clicking HERE
Parting Putt:
Looking forward to a great summer of Golf, but PLEASE stay vigilant against this global pandemic:
