Blog#329Z The Zurich Classic

Blog#329Z The Zurich Classic

TPC Avondale New Orleans

April 23-26, 2026 Par72

Purse $9.5M +$500K +6%

HISTORY Two man teams best ball and alternate shots.

Last year winners Novak/Griffin, 2024 it was Lowry/McIlroy

FAVORITES

1 Alex & Matt Fitzpatrick 11/1, Have both won this year and a win gets Alex a PGA Card.

2 Koepka/Lowry 15/1, A win would be big for Koepka.

Novak/Griffin 18/1. Very difficult to repeat.

One of these should win as they are the best 6 golfers in the field.

LONGSHOTS AND INTERESTING PAIRINGS

Keith Mitchell/Brant Snedeker Oldest Pair 34&46

Blades Brown/Luke Clanton Youngest pair 18&22

Harry Higgs/Jeremy Paul Zero PGA wins.

COMMENTARY

The next 3 tournaments are not very relevant and may be events the PGA modifies for 2027.

Apr 23-26 Zurich Classic- While team play is unique and has some entertainment value, it is more an exhibition than a true PGA event. There are very few top players in the field and the purse is split between 2 players. I see this as a poor TV audience event and not the type the PGA will consider important in the future.

Apr 30-May 3 The Cadillac Championship- Held at Trump National Doral, a venue that LIV used in the past. With the uncertainty of LIV’s future, being held in the Miami market and the status of a signature event will draw a top field and it may be a future regular event. Also the top players can consider this a good tuneup leading into the PGA Championship held at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia, a major market that the PGA will target in the future.

P.S. This tournament replaces the Sentry, historically the first tournament of the year and a signature event which is followed by the Sony. Both held in Hawaii, and both will probably not be a part off the 2027 tour schedule.

May 7-10 Truist Championship While this is held at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte NC and is a very prestigious course but Charlotte may not be a market that the PGA will consider for its “Scarcity” program in the future. However it is a course where Rory has had success so don’t be surprised if he skips The Cadillac to play here. After winning the Masters, he did skip The RBC Heritage which was a signature event.