Pair of South African Major champs partner again for 2022 Zurich Classic after nearly winning last year

Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel made playoff for title in 2021 after a third place in the 2018 Zurich Classic

NEW ORLEANS, LA (March 18, 2022)—Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, who have both won a major title each and lost the 2021 Zurich Classic in a playoff, will team again for the 2022 event, announced Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the tournament.

“Obviously, Louis and Charl have played well here as a team,” said Worthy. “Their first partnership here in 2018 resulted in a third-place finish, and they nearly won our tournament last year,” added Worthy.

The two South African players have each won 13 international titles. Schwartzel won the Masters in 2011 and Oosthuizen took The Open Championship in 2010.

Oosthuizen, is ranked 13th in the world. In addition to his Open Championship in 2010 at St. Andrews, and he has lost two playoffs for other major titles, to Bubba Watson in the 2012 Masters and to Zach Johnson and Marc Leishman in The 2015 Open Championship.

In the final round of the 2012 Masters, he scored an albatross on the second hole of Augusta National Golf Club. This was only the fourth ever albatross in Masters history, and the first to be televised.

During his career, he has demonstrated a particular affinity for major championships. Last season he took second in the U.S. Open and tied for second in the PGA Championship. He finished third in the 2020 U.S. Open, played in September of that year when the Tour returned to play in the fall.

He also tied for second in the 2015 U.S. Open and the 2017 PGA Championship, becoming one of only seven players in PGA Tour history to be a runner-up in all four majors. The others include Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Craig Wood. In his career, Oosthuizen has finished second six times in major tournaments and 12 overall on the PGA Tour in his career.

Oosthuizen has played on the last four International Presidents Cup teams, compiling a 9-6-4 record overall. He ranks seventh among international players for points won in the President Cup competitions.

Schwartzel won the 2011 Masters title 50 years after fellow South African Gary Player became the first international winner of the green jacket.

In his career, Schwartzel has placed in the top 25 a total of 90 times on the PGA TOUR since 2005. In addition to his Masters title, he won the 2016 Valspar Championship. He has won another 13 tournaments on the European, Asian and South African tours.

Schwartzel has made four Presidents Cup teams and the 2011 World Cup team with Oosthuizen. In the 2011 Presidents Cup matches, he was one of four rookies on the International the team and went 3-1-1 in a losing cause against the Americans.

Cameron Smith, who won The Players Championship and vaulted to 6^th in the world, will team again with fellow Australian Marc Leishman to defend the title they won last year at the Zurich Classic. Smith is the only two-time team winner of the Zurich Classic.

In 2021, after cancellation of the 2020 tournament, the Fore!Kids Foundation generated an all-time record $2.3 million in charitable giving for children’s charities in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas.

Because of its popularity, the Best of the Zurich Classic pass will return in 2022, along with expanded suite options at the 17^th and 18^th holes.  A new Walk-On’s Stadium Club venue will also be introduced.

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 Holiday Auction Fore!Kids and several charitable golf tournaments. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Fore!Kids has distributed more than $42 million since inception, providing healthcare, education and hope for over 200,000 children each year. More information at http://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 18-24, 2022 at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. Purse for 2022 totals a record $8.3 million, with each member of the winning team earning $1,199,350.

Day-specific grounds tickets are only $40. In addition, the Best of the Zurich Class Pass offers a variety of dishes from some of New Orleans most famous restaurants at three locations across the TPC course starting at $175 per day. Additional ticket options are available by calling the Tournament Office at 504-342-3000 or online at www.zurichgolfclassic.com.