Three-time TOUR winner Max Homa and Talor Gooch will pair for 2022 Zurich Classic
Both are ranked in the top 40 in the world, top 15 in FedExCup points
NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 12, 2022)—Three-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa, currently 14th in FedExCup points, will team with Talor Gooch, ranked fifth, announced Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the tournament.
“Max and Talor are close friends who had a successful team debut together last year,” said Worthy. “They are both enjoying very successful seasons this year, with strong FedEx Cup and world rankings,” Worthy added.
Gooch is ranked 34th in the world and Homa is right behind him at 37th. As a team last year they earned a tie for 17th in the Zurich Classic.
Homa won the season-opening Fortinet Championship and has posted a tie for 10th in the Genesis Invitational and a tie for 13th in The Players Championship.
His other PGA Tour victories came in the 2021 Genesis Invitational and the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship. He has a particular affinity for the Genesis in his home state of California, as he as posted a fifth and a 10th in that tournament in addition to his win over the past three years.
Gooch won his maiden PGA Tour victory at the RSM Classic this season. He also posted a tie for fourth at the Fortinet Championship, a tie for fifth at the CJ Cup @ Summit and a tie for seventh at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
He has made the top 25 ten times in 16 tournaments he has played this year.
The 2022 Zurich Classic field is shaping up to be one of the strongest ever. With the addition of Niemann, the field now includes 10 of the top 15 players in the world.
- Master champion and number-one ranked Scottie Scheffler will pair with fellow Texan and former Zurich Classic champion Ryan Palmer.
- Collin Morikawa, now ranked second in the world, will team with Viktor Hovland, ranked fourth, to form the highest ranked pair in the history of the team format at the Zurich Classic.
- Cameron Smith, who won The Players Championship and is now 5th 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.
- Patrick Cantlay, the 2021 FedExCup winner ranked sixth in the world, will pair with 2020 Olympic gold medal winner Xander Schauffele, ranked 11th.
- Sam Burns, whose repeat victory in the Valspar Classic moved him up to 10th in the world rankings, will play again in the Zurich Classic with Billy Horschel, who is vying to become the first three-time winner in the tournament’s history and himself is ranked 13th in the world.
- Louis Ooisthuizen, ranked 14th, will team with Charl Schwartzl. They lost last year’s Zurich Classic in a playoff.
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 17th and 18th 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.