The PGA Tour embraces the LIV Golf mindset just for a weekend with the team format at the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Round 1 today features four-ball play in which teammates alternate shots on each hole. The pairs will also rotate duties in the tee box. Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak won the tournament last year thanks to a combined 21-under performance over the two four-ball rounds. Expect plenty of laughably low scores this weekend at TPC Louisiana; 20 under is the highest winning score to par since the Zurich Classic went to team play in 2017.
Paired with brother Alex, Matt Fitzpatrick looks to win back-to-back tournaments amid a white-hot stretch that’s seen him notch two wins and a runner-up over his past four events. The Shane Lowry-Brooks Koepka, Sudarshan Yellamaraju-Ryan Gerard and Austin Smotherman-Andrew Putnam teams come in as early favorites, as well.
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Zurich Classic leaderboard
Keep up with the latest scores on the official PGA Tour leaderboard.
Zurich Classic schedule and how to watch
Round 1: Thursday, April 23
Round 1 of the 2026 Zurich Classic will broadcast nationally on Golf Channel starting at 3 p.m. Featured group and hole streaming from PGA Tour Live is available on the ESPN app (with a subscription to the Select plan) starting at 8 a.m.
Zurich Classic tee times
All times Eastern.
What is the Zurich Classic format?
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans pits 74 two-player teams against each other for four rounds with a 36-hole cut. The first and third rounds are fourball, where both teammates play the hole and use the better score. The second and final rounds are foursome play, where the players alternate shots on each hole.
New Orleans weather: Day 1 Thursday
AccuWeather predicts a high of 80 degrees with sunny skies in the forecast today in Avondale, Louisiana. Winds are expected to blow out of the southeast at 5-10 mph. There is about a 20% chance of rain.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Zurich Classic leaderboard, PGA Tour updates, Round 1 tee times
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
