PGA Tour 2023 - Zurich Classic

[Splatt]

G’day Golfers,

If there’s one thing that professional golf is renowned for, especially the PGA Tour, it’s pitting individual against individual, mano a mano, and see who comes out victorious.
The only friend a pro has out there in the fairway is themselves (and a caddy); sure they’re surrounded by a crowd and being broadcast to millions around the globe, but unlike a team sport, they’ve got no one to back them up, no one to pick up the slack if you hit a bad shot, no one to high-five when you stick one close to the pin (except the caddy). It’s a very isolated sporting experience.

But, not this week because it’s time for the Zurich Classic!

The Zurich Classic is a 2-man team event, but the sway away from your standard stroke play event doesn’t mean there’s not a lot on the table for the eventual winners. Up for grabs this week to the winning team is $1.5 million each, 400 FedEx cup points each, and invites to the PGA Championship 2023, Sentry Tournament of Champions 2024, and the Players Championship 2024 each.
All of that makes this an event worth winning.

The format for the tournament goes like this:

·         Thursday round: Four-ball (Best Ball)

·         Friday round: Foursomes (Alternate Shot)

·         Saturday round: Four-ball (Best Ball)

·         Sunday round: Foursomes (Alternate Shot)

There’s a total of 80 teams (160 players) at the event this week, which will be cut to the top 33 teams and ties for the weekend rounds.

The Zurich Classic is played at TPC Louisiana a par-72 7,425-yard course, which is a Pete Dye design and features 100 bunkers. Its placement of over 250 acres of wetlands means there are plenty of water hazards to tend with as well. My nightmare.

The water's not there, the water's not there, the water's not there, the water's not there, the water's not there, the water's not there, the water's not there.

Patrick ‘Mr Slow’ Cantlay and Xander Schauffele won this event last year with a staggering 29 under par. Cantlay and Schauffele became the first pair in the tournament’s history to win wire-to-wire and also shot a record 59 in the first round. Sam Burns and Billy Horschel came 2nd, 2 shots behind Cantlay/Schauffele. Burns/Horschel came close to closing the gap, but in the final round on hole 16, Burns found the water with his tee shot.

The field this week is anything but small, the 160-man field technically makes it the largest field in the PGA Tour season, it just so happens that they’re paired up into 80 teams.

There’re some very interesting pairings this week which will be a thrill to watch.
Some of my highlights:

·         Xander Schauffele & Patrick Cantlay – Defending champs, both playing well. Major favourites

·         Colin Morikawa & Max Homa – Heading in with the team nickname ‘Homakawa’. Should compliment each other well

·         Sahith Theegala & Justin Suh – Both are up and coming and playing some good golf

·         Sam Burns & Billy Horschel – Came 2nd last year, looking to improve on that.

·         Matt Fitzpatrick & Alex Fitzpatrick – Matt, last weeks winner of the RBC Heritage, is playing this event with his brother, a new pro golfer.

·         Zach Johnson & Steve Stricker – This year’s Ryder Cup captain’s playing together.

·         John Daly & David Duval – PGA Tour legends

For those involved with the MGS Pick ‘Em there’s no picks to be made this week, the next comp is next’s weeks Mexican Open. Atleast you won’t miss any cuts this week.

This is always a fun comp to watch, seeing the pros play off of each other and their different styles come together. Alternate shot is my favourite, especially when one of the players hits it into the trees and gives his partner a sheepish look. That’s good stuff right there.

Golfers that’s it from me.

Enjoy the comp.

Splatty

[GolfSpy_APH]

Looking forward to this!

There are a few pairings that I'm excited for. Most of all Suh & Theegala. 

They will be my dark horse for the win. I'll try and tune in for the alt shots and am kinda happy we have no picks this week. Although I'm doing well still like 6 million behind it division leader. 

Oh and also awesome write up @Splatt

[EasyPutter]

I saw an interview with both Colin Morikawa and Max Homa this morning and Homa was the volunteer coach for Morikawa's college golf team so they have a long standing association and friendship that began as a tutor/mentor relationship and it is apparent how well they get along and work together.  Based on that, their team is my pick.

[Splatt]

13 minutes ago, EasyPutter said:

I saw an interview with both Colin Morikawa and Max Homa this morning and Homa was the volunteer coach for Morikawa's college golf team so they have a long standing association and friendship that began as a tutor/mentor relationship and it is apparent how well they get along and work together.  Based on that, their team is my pick.

Yeah I saw that. Amazing how much history some of the pros have with each other

[tmerick]

Team Kim, let's go!

[SFLOrange]

I was most excited to watch the Fitzpatrick brothers and they have not disappointed.   It is really cool to see this type of family dynamic in a real professional tournament.  I love that they gave Alex an exemption, and after watching him play today he deserved it.  Hope he makes it to the tour, because as fun as it was to watch them playing together, it would be amazing to watch them competing in a final pairing.

[CFreddie]

On 4/19/2023 at 7:07 AM, EasyPutter said:

I saw an interview with both Colin Morikawa and Max Homa this morning and Homa was the volunteer coach for Morikawa's college golf team so they have a long standing association and friendship that began as a tutor/mentor relationship and it is apparent how well they get along and work together.  Based on that, their team is my pick.

Co-Signed...lets go Team Homakawa!

[TBALL]

I'll watch it some, but this could easily be a Fall event.

what's the field strength on this one with Daly and Duval somehow invited?

[fixyurdivot]

I know that Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim are not brothers (looked that up some time ago) but wow do they ever look alike.  X-man and Paddy-ice going really low, setting a new event record.  I really enjoy watching these team events and the various formats.  No real favorites but have a hunch this will be Theegala's first win.

[SFLOrange]

22 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

I know that Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim are not brothers (looked that up some time ago) but wow do they ever look alike.  X-man and Paddy-ice going really low, setting a new event record.  I really enjoy watching these team events and the various formats.  No real favorites but have a hunch this will be Theegala's first win.

Theegala is so talented, he reminds me of Cameron Smith with his ability to go on a birdie run.  Just a matter of time until he wins

[GolfSpy_APH]

Managed to catch a few highlights of this. 

I know this is the last year for this event and am not really sure if I will miss it or not. 

Of course it is a unique event, but I think I would be more excited to see this as an event with the LPGA involved. 

[Splatt]

Bit of a snapshot of the current leaderboard:

I think Mitchell and Im are going to take this, but there's still a few teams up there that could do it

[Splatt]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Managed to catch a few highlights of this. 

I know this is the last year for this event and am not really sure if I will miss it or not. 

Of course it is a unique event, but I think I would be more excited to see this as an event with the LPGA involved. 

A team event where a PGA player and an LPGA player team up is a fantastic idea

[Splatt]

The start of the final round live from Aus.

If I get up early enough I'll be able to catch the end as well.

[GolfSpy_APH]

16 minutes ago, Splatt said:

The start of the final round live from Aus.

If I get up early enough I'll be able to catch the end as well.

A true fan right there!