The Popular Zurich Classic’s Team Idea Shows You Can Devise New Successful Formats
This week’s Zurich Classic is in its second year of implementing the genius team partner’s concept. It appears to be a smash hit as 10 of the t0p 14 players are entered into the event that used to have big issues with star players showing up.
The roster is chock-full of intriguing bromances. GolfWorld’s Brian Wacker has the details.
Refreshing was the word most associated with the team format idea, even as the weather-plagued event spilled into Monday thanks to brutal thunderstorms—another annoying annual occurrence—hammered down. It was such a success that the title sponsor is in talks to extend the deal well into the future.
Oddly, the event may well have been helped by the fact that no World Ranking points are at stake, allowing for it to be a more relaxed setting with just money and FedEx Cup points on the line.
“It takes the pressure away,” said Justin Thomas, the No. 2 ranked player in the world, who will play for a second straight year with fellow Alabama alum and current roommate Bud Cauley.
That’s another big bonus: Players can team up with whomever they choose. Of the more intriguing pairings is newly minted Masters champion Patrick Reed, making his return to competition after this green-jacket victory, and Patrick Cantlay. Last season, the two decided to play together after a chance crossing of paths early in the year, when Cantlay was just getting back to playing after being sidelined with a back injury. They each liked what they saw in the other’s game and decided it’d be worth a shot. In four-ball, they shot 62 and 66 in the second and fourth round, and tied for 14th.
“I’m looking forward to this year; it’s good prep for a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup,” said Cantlay, who, with a win in Las Vegas last November and with a few other good finishes sprinkled in, is 34th in the Ryder Cup standings and in position to make a run at being on the U.S. team in France. “I figure I’m a good player and if I team up with another good player, it doubles our chances of playing well because there will be a lot of teams we’re better than.”
Also new this year is walk-up music for each group, which should only enhance the relaxed atmosphere. Not that it’s all hit-and-giggle—last year’s team playoff victory by Cam Smith and Jonas Blixt went a long way for both, especially Smith, who cemented his status on the PGA Tour, got into the Players Championship with the win and ended up making it to the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Which begs the question why other Tour events don’t add the music element. It’s fun and helps drown out the gallery oafs who shout “Mashed potatoes!”, “You da man” and It’s in the hole.” It would also diminish the sudden noise that’s the anthrax of any golfer. Give it a go and I’ll bet good things will ensue.
Here are some interesting pairings (at least to me when pondering who invited whom?):
Jon Rahm – Wesley Bryan
One of the more interesting teams this week in NOLA:
Jon Rahm (2nd in strokes gained off the tee)
Wesley Bryan (Last in strokes gained off the tee)— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) April 23, 2018
Bubba Watson – Matt Kuchar
Jim Furyk – David Duval
Jason Dufner – Pat Perez
Rory Sabbatini – John Daly
Again, kudos to the Zurich Classic officials for turning a struggling event into a bonafide success story. Other events should take notice and come up with something unique as well.
