As one of the oldest continually running events on the PGA Tour, the Zurich Classic dates back to 1938, when the inaugural event was held at the City Park Golf Course in New Orleans, La. The first winner of the tournament was Harry Cooper, and the Zurich Classic became a true annual event in 1958, and has since become one of the most prominent events in New Orleans professional sports. The event brings in an estimated $30 million each year to the city of New Orleans, $16 million in annual television exposure and is broadcast in more than 100 countries around the world. Zurich Financial Services became the event's main sponsor in 2005, and has helped the Zurich Classic grow into a major highlight on the PGA Tour calendar.
The tournament has been played at a variety of courses over the years, including Lakewood Country Club, English Turn Golf and Country Club and the City Park Golf Club, but the event has since shifted to the beautiful TBC Louisiana course located in Avondale, La. The course is ranked #4 on GolfWeek's "Best Courses You Can Play" list, and is open to the public year-round. There are nine players that have won the tournament twice, including Byron Nelson and Tom Watson. The purse has expanded significantly over the years, going from $1.7 million in 1998 to the $6.8 million of 2014 – making it a must-stop for most of the top PGA golfers. Score with TicketCity - the place to go for Zurich Classic golf tickets.
2017 Zurich Classic Preview
The 2015 Zurich Classic of New Orleans takes place from April 20th – April 26 at the beautiful TPC Louisiana. Last year saw one of the most exciting finishes in the history of the Zurich Classic. 22 year old Phenom Noh Seung-Yul of South Korea shot par or better for the first 54 holes to finish the tournament at 19 under, two strokes better than both Andrew Svoboda and Robert Streb. Svoboda and Streb will look to take the top step at the 2015 Zurich Classic and the field could include former winners bubba Watson, Billy Horschel, and Vijay Singh.
Zurich Classic Event Guide
What day should I purchase tickets for?
It all depends on how much time you have, but if you want to both follow groups and stick around certain holes, we suggest going to all four days of the tournament. Practice days are more relaxed, while if you just want to be in the thick of the action at the end, you could just get a Sunday pass.
What is there to do while in New Orleans for the tournament?
The Crescent City is one of the most fun, lively cities in the world. Check out the French Quarter, eat all the Cajun food you can, and stay out as late as you want – everyone else is. Frenchman Street is a great authentic New Orleans experience, and you can use the streetcars to get around parts of the city.
Who will be in the field for the Zurich Classic?
With a huge purse and lots of points at stake, the field is always top notch at the TPC Louisiana. Recent winners include Jason Dufner and Bubba Watson, while legends like Ben Crenshaw, Lee Trevino, and Jack Nicklaus have also won the title.