Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2026: Live Scores, Tee Times, Weather & DFS Picks for Rounds 1-2
- The 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans is set to begin on Thursday, April 23, at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., with the tournament’s unique team format returning...
- The Zurich Classic, which has been contested as a two-man team event since 2017, will feature 80 teams competing over four rounds from April 23–26.
- TPC Louisiana, a par-72 course stretching 7,425 yards, was designed by Pete Dye in collaboration with Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson and opened in 2004.
The 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans is set to begin on Thursday, April 23, at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., with the tournament’s unique team format returning for its ninth consecutive year as a PGA Tour signature event.
The Zurich Classic, which has been contested as a two-man team event since 2017, will feature 80 teams competing over four rounds from April 23–26. The format alternates between “best ball” in rounds one and three and “alternate shot” (foursomes) in rounds two, and four. After the second round, the top-33 teams and ties will advance to the weekend.
TPC Louisiana, a par-72 course stretching 7,425 yards, was designed by Pete Dye in collaboration with Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson and opened in 2004. Built on a 250-acre tract of drained cypress swampland, the course features 106 bunkers and water in play on seven holes, with its layout emphasizing strategy and precision amid scenic Louisiana corridors lined with cypress and pine trees.
Defending champions Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin, who won the 2025 edition, enter the 2026 Zurich Classic at +2000 odds according to FanDuel Sportsbook, placing them fourth on the PGA Tour odds board. The co-favorites are Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry, along with brothers Alex and Matthew Fitzpatrick, all listed at +1200, while Michael Thorbjornsen and Karl Vilips follow at +1800.
The tournament carries a $9.5 million purse, with 400 FedEx Cup points awarded to each player on the winning team. The Zurich Classic remains the PGA Tour’s only official team event, a distinction it has held since reverting to the partner format in 2017 after 88 years as a traditional stroke-play competition.
Weather forecasts for the weekend indicate potential rain, with local outlets noting concerns about how precipitation could affect play at the low-lying TPC Louisiana course, which sits just south of the Mississippi River and was constructed on former wetlands.
Fans can follow live scores, tee times, and broadcast coverage through PGA TOUR’s official platforms, with streaming available via PGA TOUR Live and television coverage expected on Golf Channel and NBC, consistent with prior years’ arrangements for the event.
As the field prepares for Thursday’s opening round, the Zurich Classic continues to stand out on the PGA Tour calendar for its distinctive team dynamic, strategic course demands, and deep roots in the New Orleans golf tradition.