The 2026 Zurich Classic of Modern Orleans is set to return to TPC Louisiana with a revised format that will see professional golfers compete as two-person teams, according to tournament organizers. The event, a staple on the PGA Tour schedule, will feature a unique blend of alternate shot and best-ball play over four days, continuing a tradition that began in 2017 when the tournament adopted its current team-based structure.
Held annually in the spring, the Zurich Classic stands out as one of the few team events on the PGA Tour, drawing international fields eager to compete in the distinctive format. For the 2026 edition, officials confirmed the tournament will once again take place at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana, a venue that has hosted the event since its return to the Zurich branding in 2017.
The competition will follow a four-day, 72-hole format where teams alternate between alternate shot and best-ball play each round. In alternate shot, teammates hit the same ball, taking turns until the hole is completed. In best-ball, each player plays their own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. This hybrid approach tests both individual skill and partnership chemistry, making it a fan favorite for its unpredictability and strategic depth.
According to the PGA Tour’s official schedule for the 2025-2026 season, the Zurich Classic is scheduled for mid-April 2026, maintaining its traditional slot in the tour calendar PGA Tour. The tournament typically fields 80 teams, or 160 individual players, selected through a combination of exemptions, qualifying criteria, and sponsor invitations, though the exact field size for 2026 has not yet been finalized PGA Tour.
TPC Louisiana, designed by Pete Dye and opened in 2004, remains a par-72 layout stretching over 7,500 yards along the Mississippi River. The course has undergone minor refinements in recent years to maintain competitive balance, but its core design — featuring water hazards on 11 holes and challenging wind exposure — remains intact, providing a stern test for two-man teams navigating the alternate shot and best-ball demands PGATOUR.COM.
Past winners of the Zurich Classic in its team format include notable pairings such as Cameron Smith and Jonas Blixt, who won in 2022, and the duo of Nick Hardy and Davis Riley, victorious in 2023. The event has also seen international success, with teams from Spain, South Africa, and Australia capturing titles, underscoring its global appeal PGATOUR.COM.
Beyond the competition, the Zurich Classic continues to serve as a significant charitable platform, having raised millions for local causes in the New Orleans region since its inception. Tournament officials have emphasized the event’s role in supporting youth golf programs and community recovery efforts, particularly in the years following Hurricane Katrina PGATOUR.COM.
As the 2026 field begins to take shape, attention will turn to which top-ranked players choose to team up and how emerging talents might use the unique format to gain visibility. The Zurich Classic’s team structure often leads to unexpected pairings, creating storylines that blend mentorship, friendship, and competitive strategy in ways individual tournaments rarely replicate.
For fans and followers, the event offers a refreshing departure from the standard stroke-play norm, delivering drama not just from individual performance but from how well two players can complement each other under pressure. With the tournament’s return to TPC Louisiana confirmed, the stage is set for another compelling chapter in one of the PGA Tour’s most distinctive events.
More details regarding the official field, pairings, and qualifying pathways are expected to be released by the PGA Tour in the months leading up to the tournament. Fans are encouraged to follow official channels for the latest updates as the 2026 Zurich Classic approaches.
If you’re planning to follow the action or attend in person, stay tuned for announcements regarding ticket availability, hospitality packages, and broadcast coverage. Share your thoughts on which teams you’d like to see paired up, and join the conversation as we count down to tee-off in Avondale.
