The PGA Tour this morning formally announced the Zurich Classic in New Orleans will become a team event featuring 80 two-man pairings, and the strength of the field "is going to be really, really good" due to the change in format, according to Golf Channel's Gary Williams. There are likely going to be "some players that maybe have not been in New Orleans in a while or have not been there at all" playing in the tournament. That was evident this morning when two marquee pairings were announced -- Rickie Fowler will play with Jason Day, while Justin Rose will team with Henrik Stenson. Fowler noted he and Day are both sponsored by Zurich and said of playing with Day, "I just thought it would be fun. ... I threw out the idea and Jason's all for it, so I'm pumped about it." Golf Channel's Cara Robinson said, "We would never see, really, an American and an Australian team up to play a team event together. ... This is magic. this is golf at its best" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 11/14). CBSSPORTS.com's Kyle Porter writes the Zurich Classic has "gone from one of the worst to at least one of the most intriguing" events on the PGA Tour schedule. It will be interesting to "see if any other super teams emerge as players commit to the tournament" (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/14).
NICE CHANGE OF PACE: GOLF WORLD's Ryan Herrington writes the change to the Zurich Classic "provides a welcome sign that golf's leadership is taking more risks in presenting different tournament formats." The team component "brings the potential for the tournament to stand out, along with validating and encouraging the kind of partner golf that younger golfers -- not to mention adult golfers -- commonly play with their friends" (GOLF WORLD, 11/14 issue). GOLFCHANNEL.com's Will Gray writes the Tour is "thinking outside the box -- and that's a good thing." Changing formats of the event "shows the good that can come from shaking things up a bit." Gray: "Too often Tour stops can tend to bleed from one to the next without much delineation, especially in the middle of the season" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 11/14). USA TODAY's Nate Scott writes with just one change, the PGA Tour "made the tournament something I’m excited about in 2017." Scott: "Other tournaments should take note" (USATODAY.com, 11/14). Golf Channel's Geoff Shackelford: "Just an awesome start for Jay Monahan, and also for Zurich to be all-in on this." Shackelford: "You're going to see more sponsors lining up to come up with different formats to stand out, because it's a crowded field out there" (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 11/14).
