Zurich Classic returning to pre-COVID form

NEW ORLEANS – Things are getting back to normal for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The PGA’s annual stop in New Orleans was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. It returned in 2021, but was played under COVID restrictions.

Social-distance requirements limited crowds to a maximum of 10,000 spectators per day last year, about one third to one half of the best turnouts under normal conditions.

But this year’s event – scheduled for April 18-24 at TPC Louisiana in Westwego – will be much like the last pre-COVID tournament in 2019.

“We’re essentially back to 2019,” Steve Worthy, FORE1KIDS Foundation CEO and tournament director, said at Media Day on Monday afternoon at Children’s Hospital. “Our corporate sales are off the charts. We hope that momentum continues.”

Though things are returning to normal for spectators, the tournament structure remains unique to the PGA Tour. The Zurich is been the only team event on the 2017 tour, featuring a format it adopted in 2017, which makes it the only preparation that translates to international team events such as the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup.

“That’s a strong selling point,” Worthy said. “It’s a good thing for us. We like our uniqueness.”

This is a Presidents Cup year and the United States will meet its international rivals in September at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.

The Australian duo of Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman will defend their Zurich title and they sense an enhanced determination from the International team to win the Presidents Cup for the first time since 1998. The U.S. is 10-0-1 since then.

Smith sits atop the international qualifying list while Leishman is 10th. The top eight players will automatically qualify with four others being selected by the team captains – Trevor Immelman (International) and Davis Love II (U.S.).

“It’s great for the captain to know he has an automatic pairing that’s going to work,” Worthy said of the Zurich’s role as a preparatory contest for the Presidents Cup.

The defending champions appeared via video conference and said they felt good about where their games are going into the TPC this week, though Leishman admitted his finishing 78-78 at Bay Hill last week “doesn’t reflect” that.

The two Aussies rented a house along with their caddies for last year’s Zurich tournament.

“We spent a lot of our time dining and having a couple of beers,” Smith said. “I think that helped us relax the rest of the week. We managed to play some of our best golf.”

Smith, who won the Zurich in 2017 while paired with Jonas Blixt, was jokingly asked if other players had contacted him about dropping Leishman for this year’s tourney.

Leishman interrupted and asked with a laugh, “Is there a phone call I haven’t received yet?”

Smith laughed and assured his partner that they would stick together at Zurich in addition to hopefully being paired at some point during the Presidents Cup.

As for the Zurich field, Worthy said he has been encouraged by feedback from top players as he makes the PGA rounds recruiting for the tournament, though commitments are just starting to trickle in, which is normal at this time of year.

“I’m confident our field will be at least as good as last year,” Worthy said.

The total purse is a record $8.3 million, which includes $1,199,350 for each member of the winning team.

The TPC lost almost 1,000 trees due to Hurricane Ida, though they were “mostly out of play,” according to Worthy.

One exception was a large tree that guarded the 11th green. The PGA decided not to replace the tree this season, though a replacement could be planted in the future.

“That was a pretty strategic tree,” Leishman said. “It’ll change the hole, but it won’t ruin it by any means.”

Worthy said about 250 new trees already have been played to replace those lost.

Spectators can purchase a Best of the Zurich Classic pass that was very popular when it debuted last season. The pass provides access to multiple food and drink locations at the 17th and 18th holes.

A new venue this year is the Stadium Club by Walk-On’s, which overlooks the 17th hole. Worthy said it will be a two-level suite in which the lower level will feature air-conditioning and “as good a view as possible of the 17th green.” Upstairs will feature stadium seats and the suite’s catering will include “signature” Walk-ons dishes.

There will be concerts after play concludes on Saturday and Sunday.

Ticket information is available by calling the tournament office (504-342-3000) or at www.zurichgolfclassic.com

The Fore!Kids Foundation generated a record $2.3 million in charitable giving for children’s charities in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas in 2021 despite the limitations on ticket sales.

Worthy said positions are still available for volunteers to work the tournament.

More information on the foundation is available at www.forekidsfoundation.com.