Zurich Classic of New Orleans goes to two-man event in 2017

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The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is turning into a buddy trip for 2017 and beyond, as the PGA Tour bucks with its overwhelming docket of stroke-play events.

The Tour officially announced Monday that the annual event played at TPC Louisana in Avondale will become a two-man team event. There will be 160 players in the field, with 80 teams of two. The top 80 players in the PGA Tour’s priority ranking — the order in which players get first crack to play in a tournament — that commit to the field will get to pick their partner. That partner must have PGA Tour status or secure a sponsor exemption into the event.

Rickie Fowler is ready to team up with an Aussie. (Getty Images)

Two teams have already been announced for the 72-hole tournament, which will be played April 27-30. Jason Day and Rickie Fowler will be a duo, as will European Ryder Cup stalwarts Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.

“I’ve loved being a part of team events throughout my amateur, collegiate and now professional career,” Fowler said. “I’m so excited that the Tour and Zurich are making this part of our schedule and can’t wait to tee it up with Jason in April.”

The tournament will unfold over four days, with the first two rounds played under the rules of alternate shot (foursomes). After 36 holes, a cut will be made to the top 35 teams and ties, which will play the final two rounds under best ball (fourballs). If there’s a tie after 72 holes, the sudden-death playoff will be fourball format.

The players on the winning team will each get a two-year PGA Tour exemption and spots in the PGA Championship, The Players, the Tournament of Champions and other invitational events. The team will split the FedEx Cup points normally distributed for individual events, meaning the winning team will split the 500 points for first place and 300 points for second place — or 400 points per player.

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