The Zurich Classic is a professional golf tournament played annually on the PGA Tour. It is a unique event because it is the only official team event on the Tour. The format is a 72-hole stroke play event, and the teams are made up of two players. In this article, we will discuss how the Zurich Classic teams are picked.
Team Formation
The Zurich Classic features a unique format where the teams are made up of two players. The teams are formed based on the players’ ranking on the PGA Tour’s Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). The top 80 available players on the OWGR as of the Monday of the week prior to the tournament are eligible to compete in the Zurich Classic. The players are then ranked according to their combined OWGR rankings, and the top 35 teams on the list are eligible to play in the event.
Choosing Teammates
Once the players know they are eligible to compete in the Zurich Classic, they must select a partner for the event. There are no restrictions on who the players can choose as their teammate, but both players must be PGA Tour members. Players can team up with anyone they like, including a fellow PGA Tour player, a friend, or even a family member. However, the players must inform the tournament officials of their teammate’s name before the deadline.
Alternates
If one of the players on a team is unable to compete in the Zurich Classic, the team will be replaced by an alternate. The alternates are selected based on their individual OWGR ranking, with the highest-ranked available player getting the first alternate spot. The alternates are notified of their status on the Wednesday before the tournament begins.
Pairing Process
After the teams have been formed and the alternates selected, the Zurich Classic uses a blind draw to determine the pairings for the first and second rounds. The teams are randomly paired together, with the order of play determined by the PGA Tour’s regulations. The teams then play the first and second rounds in a best-ball format.
Cut Line and Final Round
After the first two rounds, a cut is made, with the top 35 teams and ties advancing to the weekend. The third round is also played in a best-ball format, while the final round is played in an alternate shot format. The team with the lowest total score after four rounds is declared the winner of the Zurich Classic.
Advantages of Team Play
The Zurich Classic’s team format has several advantages over traditional stroke play events. One of the main advantages is that it allows players to form a partnership and work together towards a common goal. The format also encourages players to take more risks and play more aggressively, as they have a partner to rely on if they make a mistake.
Rankings
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Official World Golf Ranking | Partner Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Johnson | USA | 1 | Shane Lowry |
| 2 | Justin Thomas | USA | 2 | Rickie Fowler |
| 3 | Jon Rahm | Spain | 3 | Ryan Palmer |
| 4 | Xander Schauffele | USA | 4 | Patrick Cantlay |
| 5 | Bryson DeChambeau | USA | 5 | Kyle Stanley |
Affiliations
| Affiliation | Player Name | Country | Partner Name | Official World Golf Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU Alumni | Sam Burns | USA | Wyndham Clark | 39 |
| Andrew Loupe | USA | Smylie Kaufman | N/A | |
| Oklahoma State Alumni | Rickie Fowler | USA | Justin Thomas | 2 |
| Viktor Hovland | Norway | Kristoffer Ventura | 70 | |
| Georgia Tech Alumni | Cameron Tringale | USA | Kyoung-Hoon Lee | 94 |
| Matt Kuchar | USA | Harris English | 14 |
Personal Choices
| Player Name | Partner Name | Reason for Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Spieth | Ryan Palmer | Childhood Friends |
| Bubba Watson | Scottie Scheffler | Similar playing style |
| Harold Varner III | Branden Grace | Shared Sponsorship |
| Kevin Na | Sean O’Hair | Practice Partners |
| Kevin Streelman | Will Zalatoris | Young talent and potential |
Team Experience
| Team Name | Player 1 | Player 2 | Combined Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Duo | Louis Oosthuizen | Charl Schwartzel | 19 years |
| Major Winners | Sergio Garcia | Tommy Fleetwood | 31 years |
| Presidents Cup teammates | Marc Leishman | Cameron Smith | 9 years |
| Ryder Cup Partners | Ian Poulter | Graeme McDowell | 15 years |
| Defending Champions | Jon Rahm | Ryan Palmer | 1 year |
Wildcard Selections
| Player Name | Country | Partner Name | Reason for Wildcard Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Mickelson | USA | Joel Dahmen | Previous winners and experience |
| Adam Scott | Australia | Jason Day | Former major winners |
| Brooks Koepka | USA | Chase Koepka | Brothers playing together |
| Scottie Scheffler | USA | Bubba Watson | Exciting potential team |
| Billy Horschel | USA | Sam Ryder | Similar playing style |
Conclusion
The Zurich Classic is a unique event in the world of professional golf, and it provides fans with an opportunity to see some of the best players in the world team up and compete against one another. The teams for the event are formed based on the players’ OWGR rankings, and the players are free to choose any partner they like. Alternates are also available in case one of the players on a team is unable to compete. The tournament uses a blind draw to determine the pairings for the first two rounds, and the teams play in a best-ball format for those rounds. The cut is made after the second round, with the top 35 teams advancing to the weekend. The third round is also played in a best-ball format, while the final round is played in an alternate shot format. The team with the lowest total score after four rounds is declared the winner of the Zurich Classic. Overall, the team format of the Zurich Classic provides players with a unique challenge and adds excitement to the tournament for fans.
