Bubba Watson will team with J.B. Holmes in 2017 Zuirch Classic
Bubba Watson, two-time Masters winner & 2011 Zurich Classic champion, will team with J.B. Holmes in 2017 Tournament
2014 Zurich Classic winner Seung-Yul Noh, will partner with Byeong Hun An, who made the playoff in the 2016 tournament
New Orleans, LA (March 1, 2017)— Bubba Watson, who won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2011, then went on to win two Masters titles, will team with J.B. Holmes in the 2017 Zurich Classic that features a new team format unique on the PGA TOUR this year, announced Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the tournament.
In addition to Watson and Holmes, two PGA TOUR players from Korea have teamed up for the 2017 Zurich Classic: 2014 champion Seung-Yul Noh and Byeong Hun An, who made the three-person playoff in the 2016 event.
“Bubba has always been a fan favorite here,” said Worthy, “and we are excited to welcome J.B. Holmes back to our tournament. Their style of play featuring imaginative shots and dramatic saves excites both casual and experienced golf fans everywhere.”
Watson, currently ranked 15th in the world, has won nine times on the PGA TOUR and is ranked 15th in all time TOUR winnings, with $35.5 million in prize money. In addition to his win in 2011, he also finished fifth in the 2007 Zurich Classic. He has played on two President’s Cup teams and three Ryder Cup teams.
Holmes last played the Zurich Classic in 2014, when he finished tied for 11th. He finished third in The Open Championship and fourth in the Masters last year. Currently ranked 31st in the world, he played on the President’s Cup team in 2015 and two Ryder Cup teams.
Noh is playing well this season, with two eighth-place finishes in the Sanderson Farms Championship and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He has won tournaments on the PGA TOUR, the Web.com Tour, European Tour and Asian PGA. He joined the Asian Tour in 2008 as a 16-year-old and earned Asian Tour Rookie of the Year honors.
Ben An nearly won his first PGA TOUR title at last year’s Zurich Classic when he made the three-person playoff but was eliminated on the first extra hole. He has won three times internationally and finished sixth in this year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The latest commitments add to what is shaping up as the strongest field in years for the Zurich Classic, said Worthy. Already announced are the teams of Jason Day with Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose with Henrik Stenson in this year’s unique team format. Day was ranked number one in the world for 47 weeks and is currently second. Fowler is ranked 9th in the world following his victory at the Honda Classic this week, Rose is 12th and Stenson is fourth.
“Based on what I have been told personally by players and their managers, right now it looks like the Zurich Classic could attract 12 of the top 20 players in the world,” said Worthy. “We hope Bubba Watson’s formal commitment will encourage many of his fellow TOUR players to finalize their commitments as well,” Worthy added.
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 Golf Ball Gala and several charitable golf tournaments. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Fore!Kids has helped to raise more than $30 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 24-30, 2017 at TPC Louisiana in Westwego. Purse for 2016 totals $7.1 million, with the winner taking home $1,278,000.
Single-day grounds tickets are only $25 each, weekly passes are $75 and choices of suite and specialty venue options are available by calling the Tournament Office at 504-342-3000 or online at www.zurichgolfclassic.com.