Shane Lowry provides update on Masters champion Rory McIlroy as pair ‘good to go’ ahead of Zurich Classic defence.
The world number two will join Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic as the Irish pair aim to retain the title they won in dramatic fashion last year.
RORY MCILROY and Shane Lowry will defend their title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans next week.
News of the duo’s decision to defend their title was confirmed by PGA Tour on Friday.
World number two McIlroy just completed a historic career grand slam with a Masters playoff win over Justin Rose.
The Northern Irishman has been back in County Down to see his parents, but celebrations have remained low key.
Lowry is in action at this week’s RBC Heritage, which is the fifth Signature event of the season at Harbour Town Links.
But the Holywood hotshot opted to sit out the tournament after a the draining, and emotional playoff win over Justin Rose at Augusta National.
Last season, Ireland’s 2024 Olympic duo decided to join forces for the PGA Tour’s only team event on the regular season rota at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.
And Lowry confirmed that they are ‘good to go’ as they will aim to defend their title in New Orleans.
The Ryder Cup pair won a playoff against Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer to claim the team title in 2024.
Speaking to Golfweek, the Offaly native said: “We’ll be there. I talked to him (Wednesday) morning. We’re good to go.
To be honest, I didn’t want him to feel like he had to play because of me.
“He’s not letting me down if he wanted to take some time. He feels like he wants to get back out there.”
TOURNAMENT RULES & FORMAT
The Zurich Classic features a unique two-man team format that alters the typical distribution of PGA Tour win benefits.
A victory in the event counts as an official PGA Tour win for both members of the team.
Each player also gains the standard perks that come with a win, such as entry into invitational events like The Players Championship and an invite to the PGA Championship.
The tournament starts with a 160-player field, divided into 80 two-man teams. The top 80 players in the PGA Tour rankings get to choose their partners. After the first two rounds, the top 33 teams (including ties) advance to the third round.
The opening round is played in a fourball format, where both teammates play their own ball, and the better score on each hole counts for the team.
In the second round, the format switches to foursomes, where each team plays one ball, with players alternating shots. One teammate tees off on odd-numbered holes, the other on even-numbered ones.
The top 33 teams and ties move on to the weekend, playing fourball again in round three, and wrapping up with foursomes on Sunday.
2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans Team List.
Rory McIlroy Shane Lowry
Wyndham Clark Taylor Moore
Matt Fitzpatrick Alex Fitzpatrick
Collin Morikawa Kurt Kitayama
Gary Woodland Lee Hodges
Billy Horschel Tom Hoge
Akshay Bhatia Carson Young
Cam Davis Adam Svensson
Thomas Detry Robert MacIntyre
