Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose, silver medalist Henrik Stenson to team again for 2018 Zurich Classic

NEW ORLEANS – All the 2016 Olympic golf medals will now be represented in the 2018 Zurich Classic.

Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose and silver medalist Henrik Stenson have teamed up again for the 2018 Zurich Classic and will be competing against bronze medalist Matt Kuchar and his partner Bubba Watson, announced Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the tournament.

“Justin has been a fan favorite for years at the Zurich Classic and is a former champion,” said Worthy. “He and Henrik were among the first teams to commit to our new team format last year, which helped launch our field to be one of the strongest in our tournament’s history,” added Worthy.

The Rose/Stenson team has a prestigious record of accomplishment beyond their Olympic success two years ago. Rose won the Zurich Classic in 2015 and the U.S. Open in 2013. Stenson won the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2016 just prior to his success at the Summer Olympics that year.

Rose is currently ranked fifth in the world, and Stenson is ranked 14th. Both have represented Europe in the Ryder Cup four times.

Rose has won eight times on the PGA TOUR and has claimed another 11 international victories. His titles include two World Golf Championships, including this year’s WGC-HSBC Champions, when he came back from eight shots behind on the final day to win with a closing round of 67.

Other top finishes this season include a third in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a fifth in the Valspar Championship and a tie for eighth in the Farmers Insurance Open. In fact, Rose has finished in the top 10 in four of the five tournaments he has played this season to rank third in FedExCup points to date.

He ranks 12th in all-time winnings on the PGA TOUR with more than $43 million.

In addition to qualifying for the Ryder Cup four times, he has also made three World Cup teams, two Seve Cup squads and at age 17 played in the Walker Cup, becoming the youngest player in that event’s history.

He won the Silver Medal as leading amateur in the 1998 Open Championship and turned professional the next day.

Stenson has won six times on the PGA TOUR, including a World Golf Championship title, The Players Championship and the 2013 TOUR Championship presented by Coca Cola to win the FedExCup that season. He has also claimed 13 international wins.

This year he tied for second in the WGC-HSBC Champions that Justin Rose won and earned a fourth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

In addition to playing on four Ryder Cup teams, he also made four World Cup teams and three Royal Trophy squads.

The Zurich Classic is the only team tournament on the PGA TOUR season. This year’s 72-hole stroke team play format will feature Four-Ball (best ball) during the first and third rounds and Foursomes (alternate shot) during the second and fourth rounds. The starting field will consist of 80 teams. Following the conclusion of the second round, the field will be cut to the low 35 teams and ties. In case of a tie after 72 holes, there will be a sudden-death playoff using the Four-Ball format.

About Fore!Kids Foundation:

Since 1958, the Fore!Kids Foundation has raised money to fund children’s service organizations through golf events like the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Taste of the Tournament gala and several charitable golf tournaments. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Fore!Kids has helped to raise more than $34 million to date for children’s charities in metro New Orleans and Baton Rouge. More information at www.forekidsfoundation.com.

About the Zurich Classic of New Orleans:

Televised in more than 224 countries and territories, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans generates a significant economic impact on the city of New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana. Independent research has shown that the tournament generates spending of more than $40 million within the local economy and garners $33 million in positive national and international media exposure for both the city and state throughout the year beyond the four days of competition.

The tournament will be played April 23-29, 2018 at TPC Louisiana in Westwego. Purse for 2018 totals $7.2 million, with each member of the winning team earning $1,036,800.

Single-day grounds tickets are only $35 and weekly passes are $85. Single day tickets for the two most popular hospitality venues on the PGA TOUR start at $85 for Acme Oyster House and $185 for The Champions Club. Other choices of suite and specialty venue options are available by calling the Tournament Office at 504-342-3000 or online at www.zurichgolfclassic.com.