2018 Zurich Classic: Preview, format, favorites, how to watch in Canada

Alec Brzezinski

2018 Zurich Classic: Preview, format, favorites, how to watch in Canada image

Anyone thinking golf is an individual sport will be wrong this week.

Team golf returns to the PGA Tour for this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The event adopted the team format last year in an attempt to freshen up the field and get more big names involved.

The format calls for best-ball play Thursday and Saturday, alternate-shot Friday and Sunday. The field receives FedEx Cup points but not world ranking points.

SIGN UP  for a FREE 30-day trial of DAZN and watch the first two days of the Zurich Classic

A number of top stars are in the field this week, including Masters winner Patrick Reed, making his first start since Augusta National, and Brooks Koepka returning from a wrist injury that has kept him out of action since January.

Dates: April 26-29

Location: Avondale, La.

Course

TPC Louisiana is a 7,425-yard par 72 created by Pete Dye to challenge golfers with a number of tree-lined holes amid wetlands. Featuring a number of large bunkers and waste areas, the course has become more difficult after recent renovations. 

Defending Champions

Cameron Smith and Jonas Blixt needed an extra day to defeat Kevin Kisner/Scott Brown in a playoff, giving Kisner an 0-4 playoff record on the PGA Tour. The win was a breakthrough for Smith, a talented Australian who has contended in major championships. 

Smith and Brown have teamed back up together this year, hoping to rekindle the magic they found last year. Blixt has struggled for form since the win, but Smith has skyrocketed up the world ranking.

This week, DAZN features the Zurich Classic, Champions League semifinals and the NFL Draft. SIGN UP for FREE 30-day trial

Most Intriguing Teams​

Henrik Stenson/Justin Rose — The Ryder Cup staple return to claim another notch on their belt in team play. Rose has cooled off since a torrid fall that helped him rise inside the top 5 in the world ranking. Stenson has been steady all year and contended at the Masters.

Jordan Spieth/Ryan Palmer — The two Texas natives have similar games, with Palmer a little more aggressive out of the two. Spieth's putting has rebounded after a tough start to 2018, and his iron play looked sharp at Augusta National. Plamer has been quiet this season, but he often does most of his damage midseason.

Tommy Fleetwood/Chris Paisley — The two Englishmen have been in scintillating form in Europe this season. Fleetwood, last year's European Tour Player of the Year, contended at Augusta, while Paisley has a win and two other top-5 finishes on the European Tour this year.

Bubba Watson/Matt Kuchar — Power and poise: that's what this pairing brings. Watson's intensity and power off the tee should be a nice blend with Kuchar's clam, cautious nature. Kuchar was paired with Dustin Johnson during the last Ryder Cup, so he knows handle to play alongside the longer hitters.

Sergio Garcia/Rafa Cabrera Bello — The Spanish duo played well together in 2016 at the Ryder Cup. Neither have been in top form over the last month-plus, but Cabrera Bello has a number of top-25 finishes this season. Garcia crashed and burned at the Masters, but expect him to pick up top form soon.

Other Intriguing Teams

Justin Thomas/Bud Cauley

J.B. Holmes/Brandt Snedeker

Louis Oosthuizen/Charl Schwartzel

Brooks Koepka/Marc Turnesa

Ian Poulter/Graeme McDowell

How to watch the Zurich Classic

The first two rounds of the Zurich Classic, April 26-27, will stream on DAZN

What is DAZN?

DAZN is a revolutionary live sports streaming service that lets fans watch their sport, their way.  With access to the world’s best sports including top European football, the NFL, MLB, PGA, WTA, boxing and more, fans can watch their favourite teams, leagues and players at home or on the go for an affordable price.

DAZN features the widest array of live sports ever offered on one TV service and has the ability to play, pause and rewind any game live or on-demand.

Golf fans can access DAZN's coverage of the Zurich Classic on the following devices: Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android Phone & Tablet, iPhone & iPad, Android TV, LG, Smart TV, Panasonic Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, SmartCast, Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 Pro, and Roku.

 

 

Alec Brzezinski