This year's edition of the event will feature walk-up music on the tee for teams that make the cutGetty Images
The PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans begins Thursday in its second year using a two-man-team format, and the event has "attracted a strong field," led by six of the world’s top 10 players, according to Sheldon Mickles of the New Orleans ADVOCATE. All four of the "reigning major winners are entered" in the tournament, and the field is "enough to make current and former players believe the tournament that struggled to attract big names because of its placement in the Tour schedule -- three weeks post Masters -- can be successful and more than a garden-variety event." There will be "walk-up music for the first time in Tour history" for the 35 teams that make the cut. Golf Channel's Jim Gallagher: “There was a buzz about this tournament last year, and it’s continuing on. The format is different, and any kind of this unique stuff is appealing to the modern player” (New Orleans ADVOCATE, 4/22). GOLF WORLD's Brian Wacker noted last year's team debut was "such a success" that Zurich Insurance Group is in talks to extend its title sponsorship "well into the future." The event may be "helped by the fact that no World Ranking points are at stake, allowing for it to be a more relaxed setting with just money and FedEx Cup points on the line." Tournament Dir Steve Worthy: “The players have really embraced it. It’s neat to hear from players who hadn’t been here in a while and how much they enjoyed it." He noted the tournament last year "had record crowds Thursday through Saturday" and is "already ahead of pace in almost every category this year" (GOLFWORLD.com, 4/20). GOLFCHANNEL.com's Ryan Lavner wrote players are "trying to tell Commissioner Jay Monahan something: They like new." Today’s Tour players are "not only willing to play events that are a departure from the 72-hole, stroke-play norm," they are "encouraging it" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 4/22).
NO SUCH THING AS A BAD IDEA: European Tour CEO Keith Pelley said ideas for new tournament formats should be "credible" and "entertaining." He said new format ideas are "all about extending the reach" of the game. Pelley noted the 72-hole tournament format will "always be at the core of what we do," but said there is a "narrative in golf about the need for a new format that will generate different interest, more interest" in the game. Pelley: "We're ambitious and aggressive. I love GolfSixes. I love the concept of it. I think now we've brought eight or nine different federations that are rolling it out across continental Europe." He noted at the Shot Clock Masters, a new event in Austria debuting in June, every player will be "under the clock" on "every single shot." Pelley: "What we're trying to find out is what works that can generate a larger gathering to this terrific game" ("Golf Central," Golf Channel, 4/22).
