PGA Tour Brunch | Zurich Classic
First Round Coverage of Zurich Classic | New Orleans
The Zurich Classic | Preview
NEW ORLEANS - Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, the defending Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions defeated Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer with a par-5 on the first playoff hole to win in their tournament debut; held a share of the 18- and 36-hole lead before going on to win.
No team has successfully defended their title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans since the team format was introduced in 2017
McIlroy is making his first start on TOUR since winning the Masters Tournament and becoming the sixth player to complete the Career Grand Slam; FedEx Cup leader is the only player with multiple victories this season (AT&T
Pebble Beach Pro-Am, THE PLAYERS Championship, Masters Tournament)
McIlroy is making his seventh start of the season; has not finished lower than T17 (The Genesis Invitational)
The 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans marked Lowry’s third career PGA TOUR title and first since the 2019 Open Championship
The victory propelled Lowry to his first appearance in the TOUR Championship and a career-high T9 finish in the FedEx Cup standings.
Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, both Las Vegas residents, are paired together at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the second time (T23/2024)
World No. 4 and Zurich ambassador Morikawa is making his fifth consecutive tournament appearance
On Wednesday, Billy Horschel withdrew and he was replaced by Kevin Chappell, who will partner with Tom Hoge.
Zurich Classic | Tournament Facts
COURSE: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, LA
ARCHITECT: Pete Dye
YARDS/PAR: 7,425 yards/Par 72
PRIZE Money/First Place Winnings: $9,200,000/$1,329,400
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy
OVERVIEW: (link)
PAST RESULTS: (link)
FEDEx CUP Points to Winners: 400 to each player
SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @Zurich_Classic.
NOLA: Remember, the local time in New Orleans is Central time, one hour behind Eastern Daylight time.
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | All Times Eastern Daylight
7:30am to 6:00pm - PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ Streaming
12-Noon to 6:00pm - SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio
3:00pm to 6:00pm - Golf Channel and the NBC Sports app Streaming
How to Watch: Please visit: (Golf Week)
The Basics
How the Team Format Works (PGATourCom)
Zurich Classic Tee Times start Thursday at 8:00am (ET) and go to 3:02pm (ET).
Weather: Thursday’s forecast calls for partly cloudy skies but temperatures reaching 83-degrees. Winds at 11 mph and chance of rain is 24%. Weekend forecast is good/sunny, little chance of rain.
Zurich Classic Tournament Web Site: (link)
FedEx Cup Standings: (link)
PGA Tour Brunch will post before 8:00AM (ET) on Thursday.
The Zurich Classic | Field, Updates and Tee Times
The Field: (link)
Updates:
Monday, April 21
Gary Woodland (WD); Lee Hodges (IN), with Jason Dufner
Wednesday, April 23
Billy Horschel (WD); Kevin Chappell (IN), with Tom Hoge
Tee Times: (link)
The Zurich Classic | What They’re Saying
How It Works at Zurich Classic (PGATourCom)
Two-Time Winner Horschel WDs from Zurich (Golf Week)
Five Intriguing Teams | Zurich Classic - (PGATourCom)
How to Watch Thursday’s R-1 (Golf Week)
Sports Gambling, Daily Fantasy and Golf Industry News
Expert Picks for Zurich - (PGATourCom)
Sleeper Picks for Zurich Classic - (PGATourCom)
Wesley Bryan Plans to Appeal Suspension - (Golf Week)
Zurich Extends Sponsorship (Golf Week)
On This Day in Golf History:
April 24, 1988 - Chip Beck shot a final round (64) to win the USF&G Classic in New Orleans. Beck won by seven strokes over Lanny Wadkins. Beck had a chance to tie the PGA Tour record of 27-under but missed his 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole. - Courtesy of Randy Walker, Author of On This Day in Golf History, available via Amazon.com and by clicking HERE
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Parting Putt:
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