Patrick Reed returns to the field for the first time after winning the Masters and does so in New Orleans, for one of the few pairs competitions on the American circuit. This is the Zurich Classic, a tournament that begins today and ends on Sunday and which sees the participation of a very large group of champions. Among others, the number one of Fedex Justin Thomas (paired with Bud Cauley), the number three in the world, Jordan Spieth (with Ryan Palmer), both in their first outing after the test at Augusta National.
Of note is the return to the scene of Brook Koepka, winner of the 2017 US Open, who has been absent for many weeks due to a wrist injury. Among the Europeans Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson stand out, respectively gold and silver medal at the Rio Olympics; English and Swedish play together. And again Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello. Spaniard Jon Rahm instead switches to the "enemy" and rides in tandem with the American Wesley Bryan.
The formula is four balls best on Thursday and Saturday; alternate shots Friday and Sunday. It's an original and fun race, designed to break the monotony of the classic individual challenges. This is an apparently “minor” comparison, given the $7,7 million up for grabs and the number of notable players. Among other things, it offers the opportunity for many big names to shake off some dust, in view of a key event such as The Players in two weeks.
The track is the Tpc Louisiana, par 72 of about 6700 meters, designed by Pet Dye. Title defenders Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith.
The European tour, after the passage in Morocco, moves instead to China for the Volvo China Open, a tournament organized in collaboration with the Asian Tour and scheduled from today at Topwin Golf & CC in Beijing. Five Italians in the race: Edoardo Molinari, Andrea Pavan, Renato Paratore, Nino Bertasio and Matteo Manassero. The reigning champion is the Frenchman Alexander Levy, in splendid form after last Sunday's success in the Trophée Hassan II.
The prize pool is 20 million RMB (about 2,6 million euros).
