Rory McIlroy is back in action this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, teaming up again with Shane Lowry as they aim to defend their 2024 title. Fresh off a career-defining Masters victory that completed the Career Grand Slam, McIlroy now turns his focus to the PGA Tour’s only official team event.
McIlroy and Lowry won last year’s Zurich Classic in their tournament debut, outlasting Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer in a playoff. They held at least a share of the 18- and 36-hole leads before sealing the win on the first extra hole. No team has ever repeated in the event since it adopted the two-man format in 2017.
McIlroy Returns to Action After Historic Masters Win
This marks McIlroy’s first appearance since winning at Augusta, and his seventh start of the 2025 season. He leads the FedExCup standings and already owns three victories this year—AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, THE PLAYERS Championship, and the Masters. The last time McIlroy played at TPC Louisiana, he walked away with the trophy.
Lowry, meanwhile, is also trending well. He has three top-10 finishes in 2025, including a solo second at Pebble Beach (won by McIlroy), and has become a consistent force on Tour again.
Team Format Brings Unique Challenge to Zurich Classic
The Zurich Classic is the only FedExCup event that uses team play, alternating between Four-ball (best ball) on Thursday/Saturday and Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday/Sunday. Each player on the winning team earns 400 FedExCup points, a two-year Tour exemption, and entry into the remaining Signature Events.
Past winners include major champions like Jon Rahm, Billy Horschel, and Patrick Cantlay. The format rewards chemistry, and no pairing had more of it last year than McIlroy and Lowry.
What’s at Stake This Week in New Orleans
This is event No. 19 of the 36-week regular season, with $9.2 million in total purse money and $1.33 million going to each winner. The Zurich Classic also provides an opportunity for younger players to pair with veterans and gain exposure in marquee groups.
The duo of McIlroy and Lowry is one of seven returning partnerships that finished top 10 in 2024, a list that includes Garrick Higgo/Ryan Fox, and Thomas Detry/Robert MacIntyre.
Field Features Top-Ranked Stars and Defending Champs
Alongside McIlroy (World No. 2) and Lowry, the field includes six players ranked inside the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking. That includes World No. 4 Collin Morikawa, who teams with Kurt Kitayama for a second straight year. Morikawa has two runner-up finishes already in 2025 and hasn’t finished worse than T17 in any start.
Other intriguing teams:
-
Wyndham Clark and Taylor Moore, both with Zurich top-10s
-
Fitzpatrick brothers (Matt and Alex), back for their third attempt
-
Twin Danes Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, playing together again
With star power, momentum, and history on the line, the Zurich Classic is set to deliver another standout week.
Leave a Reply