Zurich Classic dates announced for 2024 amid concern for PGA Tour changes

There is good news to report with respect to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Any thoughts that the pending partnership proposal with LIV Golf could jeopardize the future of the superb PGA Tour event in the New Orleans area have been quashed.

The PGA Tour released its 2024 schedule Monday and the Zurich Classic will take place April 22-28 at the TPC of Louisiana in Avondale.

That is certainly good news but it is not the best-case scenario for tournament officials.

The PGA Tour has designated eight events as “Signature Events,” indicating their elevated status which the Zurich Classic was hoping to receive. Those events include players receiving the significant incentives of increased prize money and increased FedEx Cup points

The RBC Heritage event is the week before the Zurich Classic while the Wells Fargo Championship is two weeks after the local tournament which presents the concern that some would consider bypassing the New Orleans area.

The incentives in place for competitors to participate in the Zurich Classic remain clear, including the fact it remains to only team event on the PGA Tour along with the outstanding food and culture of the area.

Those elevated events join the major events on the 36-event annual schedule, which include THE PLAYERS Championship, along with the Masters, the PGA Championship and U.S. Open and The Open Championship, which was in Liverpool this year and will be in Scotland next year.

Here is a list of the designated Signature Events:
• The Sentry (January 1-7)
• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (January 29-February 4)
• The Genesis Invitational (February 12-18)
• Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 4-10)
• RBC Heritage (April 15-21)
• Wells Fargo Championship (May 6-12)
• the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (June 3-9)
• Travelers Championship (June 17-23)