The zurich classic is back this week, and it remains the only team competition among 45 official stops on the 2026 PGA TOUR schedule. Seventy-four teams of two will tee it up for the ninth edition since the event moved to this format in 2017, with TPC Louisiana again set as the stage. The opening round is expected after a dry start, but the forecast turns more challenging as the week goes on in New Orleans.
Zurich Classic setup and field size
The field was originally set to be trimmed from 80 to 72 teams at TPC Louisiana, but Brooks Koepka’s commitment led to two additional teams being added so the pairings could be leveled across the first two rounds. Once the early stages are complete, the low 33 teams and ties will advance to the next two rounds.
The zurich classic format stays the same: the first and third rounds are Four-ball, while the second and fourth rounds are Foursomes. In Four-ball, the lower score from each partner counts as the team score on each hole, and that often produces low numbers. Last year, Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo opened with a tournament-record 14-under 58 in the opening round.
How TPC Louisiana could shape the zurich classic
TPC Louisiana remains a stock par 72 measuring 7, 425 yards. Three of the four par 3s sit on odd-numbered holes, and the par 5s are split evenly, with the finishing hole playing 585 yards. The fairways are not overseeded, the Bermudagrass rough has been raised to 2¼ inches, and the Bermudagrass greens are overseeded and prepared to run at about 12½ feet on the Stimpmeter.
That setup matters because the event is expected to reward teams that can handle both formats well. The normal scoring range in Four-ball can get into the low 60s, while alternate shot can make an upper-60s performance competitive. In this event, the ability to keep momentum through the scoring swings is often as important as raw firepower.
Weather, pressure, and the winning edge
The weather picture adds another layer to the zurich classic. After a dry opener, the chance of rain and storms rises each day for the rest of the tournament, with temperatures expected to reach at least 80 degrees daily. The strongest wind is expected before the precipitation, first from the southeast and then shifting to a more southerly direction.
That kind of setup can make the final rounds harder to manage, especially in alternate shot, where every mistake is magnified. It also means the team that stays composed through changing conditions may have a real edge when the tournament tightens.
What the zurich classic winner gets
The winning duo earns more than a trophy. The champions secure exemptions into the PGA Championship and other official rewards tied to victory, which makes the finish at TPC Louisiana meaningful beyond the week itself.
There is also a wider significance to the event’s team identity. First-time participants have won here before, including Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry in 2024, which shows that comfort and chemistry can matter as much as experience. As the zurich classic unfolds, the pressure will build quickly, and the team that adapts best to the format, the course, and the weather should be the one standing tallest at the end.
