TONY FINAU PARTNERS WITH KYLE STANLEY IN 2019 ZURICH CLASSIC

Charley Hoffman and former Zurich champ Nick Watney “re-team” this year

NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 11, 2019)—Tony Finau, who famously dislocated his ankle celebrating a hole-in-one during the Masters Par 3 tournament last year, has formed a new team with Kyle Stanley for this year’s Zurich Classic, announced Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the tournament.

At the same time, Charley Hoffman and Nick Watney are renewing their partnership in the 2019 Zurich Classic, said Worthy.

“Tony Finau was a member of the 2018 Ryder Cup team, and his partner Kyle Stanley is a proven PGA TOUR member,” said Worthy. “Of course, we always welcome past Zurich Classic champions like Nick Watney back to our tournament, this year playing again with crowd favorite Charley Hoffman, ”added Worthy.

Currently ranked 15^thin the world, Finau took second in this season’s World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, losing a playoff after holding the second and third round leads.

In 2018, he recorded 11 top ten finishes, including a tie for tenth in the Masters after dislocating his ankle during the Par 3 tournament that Wednesday. He also finished fifth in the U.S. Open and tied for ninth in the Open Championship.

Playing with Daniel Summerhays, he took a sixth in the 2018 Zurich Classic.

He made the 2018 Ryder Cup team as a captain’s pick and posted a 2-1 record for the week, tied for best on the U.S. squad.

Finau’s partner Kyle Stanley has won twice on the PGA TOUR, most recently in the 2017 Quicken Loans National. Stanley finished third in the 2013 Zurich Classic and tied for 29^thin 2017, playing with Ryan Ruffels in the inaugural team format.

Stanley is ranked 48^thin the world.

Hoffman has won four times on TOUR, most recently at the 2017 Valero Texas Open, where he also placed second in the 2019 tournament, two stokes behind winner Corey Connors.

Hoffman finished 12^thin the 2018 Masters to automatically qualify for this year’s event. He also took eighth in the 2017 U.S. Open.

He was a member of the winning 2017 Presidents Cup team captained by Steve Stricker, who has since been named captain of the 2020 U.S Ryder Cup team.

The team of Hoffman and Watney finished tied for fifth in the 2017 Zurich Classic and tied for 31^stin last year’s event.

Watney has won five times of the PGA TOUR, including his first TOUR victory at the Zurich Classic in 2007.

He played in the 2011 Presidents Cup, the 2009 World Cup and in the collegiate 2002 Palmer Cup.

The Zurich Classic is the only team tournament on the PGA TOUR season. Since launching the team format two years ago, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans has drawn some of the highest ranking fields for any regular-season tournament on the PGA TOUR. In 2018, the tournament field included six of the top ten players in the world; all four reigning major champions; the U.S. Ryder Cup captain and six members of the U.S. team along with the European Ryder Cup captain with four of his co-captains and six players on the victorious European team.

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 helped to raise more than $36 million to date for children’s charities in metro New Orleans and Baton Rouge. 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 22-28, 2019 at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. Purse for 2019 totals $7.3 million, with each member of the winning team earning $1,051,200.

Single-day grounds tickets are only $35 and weekly passes are $85. Single day tickets for the two most popular hospitality venues on the PGA TOUR start at $85 for Acme Oyster House and $185 for The Champions Club. Kids 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult holding a grounds ticket. Other choices of suite and specialty venue options are available by calling the Tournament Office at 504-342-3000 or online at www.zurichgolfclassic.com.