Zurich Classic of New Orleans

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a professional golf tournament in Louisiana on the PGA Tour, currently held at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, a suburb southwest of New Orleans. Beginning 86 years ago in 1938 and held annually since 1958, it is commonly played in early to mid-spring. Zurich Insurance Group is the main sponsor, and it is organized by the Fore!Kids Foundation.[3]

Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Tournament information
LocationAvondale, Louisiana
Established1938[1]
Course(s)TPC Louisiana
Par72
Length7,425 yards (6,789 m)[2]
Organized byFore!Kids Foundation
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatTeam stroke play
Prize fundUS$8,900,000
Month playedApril
Tournament record score
AggregateIndividual:
262 Chip Beck (1988)
Team:
258 Nick Hardy and
Davis Riley (2023)
To parIndividual:
−26 as above
Team:
−30 as above
Current champion
Republic of Ireland Shane Lowry and
Northern Ireland Rory McIlroy
Location map
TPC Louisiana is located in the United States
TPC Louisiana
TPC Louisiana
Location in the United States
TPC Louisiana is located in Louisiana
TPC Louisiana
TPC Louisiana
Location in Louisiana

First prize reached five figures in 1965,[4] six figures in 1988,[5] and passed the million-dollar mark in 2006.[6] The winning team in 2022 split over $2.39 million.

In 2017, the Zurich Classic became a team event, with eighty pairs. One member of each team is initially chosen via the Tour priority rankings, and his partner must either be a PGA Tour member or earn entry through a sponsor exemption. The stroke play format was alternate shot (foursome) in the first and third rounds and better ball (fourball) for the second and fourth rounds. The cut line is 33 teams, plus ties. The winners earn 400 FedEx Cup points and two-year exemptions, but will not receive Masters invitations and no world ranking points are awarded for the event.[7]

In 2018, the format switched to fourball for the first and third rounds and alternate shot for the second and fourth rounds.[8]

Tournament names and corporate sponsors

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  • Crescent City Open (1938)[9]
  • New Orleans Open (1939–1948)
  • Greater New Orleans Open Invitational (1958–1971)[9]
  • Greater New Orleans Invitational (1972–1974)[10]
  • First NBC New Orleans Open (1975–1979)[10]
  • Greater New Orleans Open (1980)
  • USF&G New Orleans Open (1981)[10]
  • USF&G Classic (1982–1991)
  • Freeport-McMoRan Golf Classic (1992–1993)[10]
  • Freeport-McMoRan Classic (1994–1995)
  • Freeport- McDermott Classic (1996–1998)
  • Compaq Classic of New Orleans (1999–2002)[10]
  • HP Classic of New Orleans (2003–2004)
  • Zurich Classic of New Orleans (2005–present)[10]

Tournament highlights

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Courses

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From the event's inception through 2004, it was played at a series of courses in New Orleans, starting at the City Park Golf Courses, where it was played through 1962. From 1963 through 1988, the event had a lengthy relationship with Lakewood Country Club before shifting to English Turn Golf and Country Club in 1989 for sixteen editions through 2004.

TPC Louisiana in Avondale became the host in 2005, but damage to the course by Hurricane Katrina that August forced the event back to English Turn for a year in 2006. It returned to the TPC in 2007, its current home.

Course layout

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TPC Louisiana in 2016

Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Yards 399 548 221 482 438 476 561 372 207 3,704 390 575 492 403 216 490 355 215 585 3,721 7,425
Par 4 5 3 4 4 4 5 4 3 36 4 5 4 4 3 4 4 3 5 36 72

Source:[2]

Winners

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Year Winner(s)[a] Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Purse
(US$)
Winner's
share ($)
Ref.
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
2024   Shane Lowry and
  Rory McIlroy
263 −25 Playoff   Chad Ramey and
  Martin Trainer
8,900,000 1,286,050
(each)
2023   Nick Hardy and
  Davis Riley
258 −30 2 strokes   Adam Hadwin and
  Nick Taylor
8,600,000 1,242,700
(each)
2022   Patrick Cantlay and
  Xander Schauffele
259 −29 2 strokes   Sam Burns and
  Billy Horschel
8,300,000 1,199,350
(each)
2021   Marc Leishman and
  Cameron Smith (2)
268 −20 Playoff   Louis Oosthuizen and
  Charl Schwartzel
7,400,000 1,069,300
(each)
2020 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic [23]
2019   Ryan Palmer and
  Jon Rahm
262 −26 3 strokes   Tommy Fleetwood and
  Sergio García
7,300,000 1,051,200
(each)
2018   Billy Horschel (2) and
  Scott Piercy
266 −22 1 stroke   Jason Dufner and
  Pat Perez
7,200,000 1,036,800
(each)
2017   Jonas Blixt and
  Cameron Smith
261 −27 Playoff   Scott Brown and
  Kevin Kisner
7,100,000 1,022,400
(each)
2016   Brian Stuard 201[b] −15 Playoff   An Byeong-hun
  Jamie Lovemark
7,000,000 1,260,000
2015   Justin Rose 266 −22 1 stroke   Cameron Tringale 6,900,000 1,242,000
2014   Noh Seung-yul 269 −19 2 strokes   Robert Streb
  Andrew Svoboda
6,800,000 1,224,000
2013   Billy Horschel 268 −20 1 stroke   D. A. Points 6,600,000 1,188,000
2012   Jason Dufner 269 −19 Playoff   Ernie Els 6,400,000 1,152,000
2011   Bubba Watson 273 −15 Playoff   Webb Simpson 6,400,000 1,152,000
2010   Jason Bohn 270 −18 2 strokes   Jeff Overton 6,400,000 1,152,000
2009   Jerry Kelly 274 −14 1 stroke   Charles Howell III
  Rory Sabbatini
  Charlie Wi
6,300,000 1,134,000
2008   Andrés Romero 275 −13 1 stroke   Peter Lonard 6,200,000 1,116,000
2007   Nick Watney 273 −15 3 strokes   Ken Duke 6,100,000 1,098,000
2006   Chris Couch 269 −19 1 stroke   Fred Funk
  Charles Howell III
6,000,000 1,080,000 [6]
2005   Tim Petrovic 275 −13 Playoff   James Driscoll 5,500,000 990,000 [24]
HP Classic of New Orleans
2004   Vijay Singh 266 −22 1 stroke   Phil Mickelson
  Joe Ogilvie
5,100,000 918,000
2003   Steve Flesch 267 −21 Playoff   Bob Estes 5,000,000 900,000
Compaq Classic of New Orleans
2002   K. J. Choi 271 −17 4 strokes   Dudley Hart
  Geoff Ogilvy
4,500,000 810,000
2001   David Toms 266 −22 2 strokes   Phil Mickelson 4,000,000 720,000
2000   Carlos Franco (2) 270 −18 Playoff   Blaine McCallister 3,400,000 612,000
1999   Carlos Franco 269 −19 2 strokes   Steve Flesch
  Harrison Frazar
2,600,000 468,000
Freeport-McDermott Classic
1998   Lee Westwood 273 −15 3 strokes   Steve Flesch 1,700,000 306,000
1997   Brad Faxon 272 −16 3 strokes   Bill Glasson
  Jesper Parnevik
1,500,000 270,000
1996   Scott McCarron 275 −13 5 strokes   Tom Watson 1,200,000 216,000
Freeport-McMoRan Classic
1995   Davis Love III 274 −14 Playoff   Mike Heinen 1,200,000 216,000
1994   Ben Crenshaw (2) 273 −15 3 strokes   José María Olazábal 1,200,000 216,000
Freeport-McMoRan Golf Classic
1993   Mike Standly 281 −7 1 stroke   Russ Cochran
  Payne Stewart
1,000,000 180,000
1992   Chip Beck (2) 276 −12 1 stroke   Greg Norman
  Mike Standly
1,000,000 180,000
USF&G Classic
1991   Ian Woosnam 275 −13 Playoff   Jim Hallet 1,000,000 180,000
1990   David Frost 276 −12 1 stroke   Greg Norman 1,000,000 180,000
1989   Tim Simpson 274 −14 2 strokes   Greg Norman
  Hal Sutton
750,000 135,000
1988   Chip Beck 262 −26 7 strokes   Lanny Wadkins 750,000 135,000 [5]
1987   Ben Crenshaw 268 −20 3 strokes   Curtis Strange 500,000 90,000 [25]
1986   Calvin Peete 269 −19 5 strokes   Pat McGowan 500,000 90,000
1985   Seve Ballesteros 205[b] −11 2 strokes   Peter Jacobsen
  John Mahaffey
400,000 72,000
1984   Bob Eastwood 272 −16 3 strokes   Larry Rinker 400,000 72,000
1983   Bill Rogers 274 −14 3 strokes   David Edwards
  Jay Haas
  Vance Heafner
400,000 72,000
1982   Scott Hoch 206[b] −10 2 strokes   Bob Shearer
  Tom Watson
300,000 54,000
USF&G New Orleans Open
1981   Tom Watson (2) 270 −18 2 strokes   Bruce Fleisher 350,000 63,000
Greater New Orleans Open
1980   Tom Watson 273 −15 2 strokes   Lee Trevino 250,000 45,000
First NBC New Orleans Open
1979   Hubert Green 273 −15 1 stroke   Frank Conner
  Bruce Lietzke
  Steve Melnyk
  Lee Trevino
250,000 45,000
1978   Lon Hinkle 271 −17 1 stroke   Gibby Gilbert
  Fuzzy Zoeller
200,000 40,000
1977   Jim Simons 273 −15 3 strokes   Stan Lee 175,000 35,000
1976   Larry Ziegler 274 −14 1 stroke   Victor Regalado 175,000 35,000
1975   Billy Casper (2) 271 −17 2 strokes   Peter Oosterhuis 150,000 30,000
Greater New Orleans Open
1974   Lee Trevino 267 −21 8 strokes   Bobby Cole
  Ben Crenshaw
150,000 30,000
1973   Jack Nicklaus 280 −8 Playoff   Miller Barber 125,000 25,000
1972   Gary Player 279 −9 1 stroke   Dave Eichelberger
  Jack Nicklaus
125,000 25,000
Greater New Orleans Open Invitational
1971   Frank Beard (2) 276 −12 1 stroke   Hubert Green 125,000 25,000
1970   Miller Barber 278 −10 Playoff   Bob Charles
  Howie Johnson
125,000 25,000
1969   Larry Hinson 275 −13 Playoff   Frank Beard 100,000 20,000 [26]
1968   George Archer 271 −17 2 strokes   Bert Yancey 100,000 20,000 [26]
1967   George Knudson 277 −11 1 stroke   Jack Nicklaus 100,000 20,000 [26]
1966   Frank Beard 276 −12 2 strokes   Gardner Dickinson 100,000 20,000 [26]
1965   Dick Mayer 273 −15 1 stroke   Bruce Devlin
  Billy Martindale
100,000 20,000 [4][26]
1964   Mason Rudolph 283 −5 1 stroke   Jack Nicklaus
  Chi-Chi Rodríguez
  Glenn Stuart
50,000 7,500 [26]
[27]
1963   Bo Wininger (2) 279 −9 3 strokes   Tony Lema
  Bob Rosburg
40,000 6,400 [26]
1962   Bo Wininger 281 −7 2 strokes   Bob Rosburg 30,000 4,300 [26]
1961   Doug Sanders 272 −16 5 strokes   Gay Brewer
  Mac Main
30,000 4,300 [26]
1960   Dow Finsterwald 270 −18 6 strokes   Al Besselink 25,000 3,500 [26]
1959   Bill Collins 280 −8 3 strokes   Jack Burke Jr.
  Tom Nieporte
20,000 2,800 [26]
1958   Billy Casper 278 −10 Playoff   Ken Venturi 20,000 2,800 [26]
1949–1957: No tournament
New Orleans Open
1948   Bob Hamilton 280 −4 1 stroke   Roberto De Vicenzo
  Fred Haas
  Lawson Little
10,000 2,000 [28]
1947: No tournament
1946   Byron Nelson (2) 277 −11 5 strokes   Ben Hogan 7,500 1,500 [29][30]
1945   Byron Nelson 284 −4 Playoff   Jug McSpaden 5,000 1,300 [31][32]
1944   Sammy Byrd 285 −3 5 strokes   Byron Nelson 5,000 1,000 [33]
1943: No tournament
1942   Lloyd Mangrum 281 −7 1 stroke   Lawson Little
  Sam Snead
5,000 1,000 [34]
1941   Henry Picard (2) 276 −12 2 strokes   Ben Hogan 5,000 1,200 [35]
1940   Jimmy Demaret 286 −2 1 stroke   Ralph Guldahl
  Jug McSpaden
  Sam Snead
10,000 2,000 [36]
1939   Henry Picard 284 −4 5 strokes   Dick Metz 10,000 2,000 [37][38]
Crescent City Open
1938   Harry Cooper 285 −3 4 strokes   Jug McSpaden 5,000 1,200 [39]

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records
Sources:[40][41]

Multiple winners

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There is yet to be a three-time winner at New Orleans, but eleven have won twice. Four won in consecutive years: Byron Nelson, Bo Wininger, Tom Watson, and Franco.

2 wins

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ From 2017 onwards, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans became a two-player team event.
  2. ^ a b c Shortened to 54 holes due to weather.

References

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  1. ^ Zurich Classic – Our history
  2. ^ a b "Course Map". Zurich Classic. April 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  3. ^ About Fore!Kids Foundation
  4. ^ a b "Old Man Mayer wins golf on 30-yard chip shot". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. May 17, 1965. p. 10.
  5. ^ a b "Beck collects it all but Hogan record". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. April 25, 1988. p. 2C.
  6. ^ a b "Couch's 55-foot chip-in wins Zurich Classic". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. May 1, 2006. p. C5.
  7. ^ Schupak, Adam (April 26, 2017). "Zurich Classic Turns to Team Play as a Jolt to PGA Tour Routine". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  8. ^ Everill, Ben (April 25, 2018). "Format change brings potential Sunday volatility at Zurich Classic". PGA Tour.
  9. ^ a b "A Brief History of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans". lgagolf.org. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Our History – Zurich Classic of New Orleans". zurichgolfclassic.com. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  11. ^ Beard Takes New Orleans
  12. ^ Tampering charged; Golfer suspended
  13. ^ Keeping A Close Eye On The Ball
  14. ^ Radosta, John S. (April 1, 1974). "Trevino Wins by 8 Shots". The New York Times.
  15. ^ Casper Wins New Orleans Tournament
  16. ^ Hinkle wins in New Orleans Player's streak ends
  17. ^ O'Grady fined and suspended by US Tour
  18. ^ Norman felled by Frost's bunker shot
  19. ^ GOLF; Late Berth In Masters to Davis Love
  20. ^ Paraguay's Franco gets first tour victory in New Orleans
  21. ^ Choi wins Compaq Classic by four strokes
  22. ^ Singh rallies for second straight title
  23. ^ "PGA Tour statement regarding additional tournament cancellations". PGA Tour. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  24. ^ "Petrovic delivers, wins Zurich Classic". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. May 2, 2005. p. C2.
  25. ^ "Smooth putting aids Crenshaw". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. March 23, 1987. p. 2B.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Johnson, Sal; Seanor, Dave, eds. (2009). The USA Today Golfers Encyclopedia. New York, New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60239-302-8.
  27. ^ "Rudolph wins tourney title". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. March 3, 1964. p. 3B.
  28. ^ "Bob Hamilton Golf Victor". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. February 23, 1948. p. 16. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  29. ^ "Nelson First In N.O. Tourney". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Lewiston, Maine. Associated Press. February 18, 1946. p. 8. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  30. ^ "Byron Nelson Tops Hogan To Win New Orleans Open". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. Associated Press. February 18, 1946. p. 5. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  31. ^ "McSpaden Falters To Finish In Tie With Byron Nelson". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Canada. Associated Press. February 13, 1945. p. 8. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  32. ^ "Nelson Wins Tourney With Sensational 65". The Montreal Gazette. Montreal, Canada. Associated Press. February 14, 1945. p. 16. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  33. ^ "Byrd Tops Field To Win All War Bond Open Tourney". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. Associated Press. February 29, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  34. ^ "Mangrum New Orleans Golf Winner". The Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. Associated Press. February 21, 1942. p. 9. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  35. ^ "Picard Wins Open With Record 276". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. United Press. February 17, 1941. p. 13. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  36. ^ "TexasPro Fattens Purse". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, South Carolina. Associated Press. February 27, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  37. ^ "Week-End Sport Results In Brief". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. Associated Press. February 20, 1939. p. 6. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  38. ^ "Henry Picard Wins His Second Tourney". The Norwalk Hour. Norwalk, Connecticut. Associated Press. February 27, 1939. p. 9. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  39. ^ "Cooper Clips Par For Open Victory". The Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. February 22, 1938. p. 5A. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  40. ^ Zurich Classic of New Orleans – Winners - at pgatour.com
  41. ^ Zurich Classic of New Orleans – Past Winners & Highlights Archived April 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
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29°54′07″N 90°11′24″W / 29.902°N 90.190°W / 29.902; -90.190