Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend Zurich Classic golf title: Field, format and prize money for PGA Tour team event

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a team event on the PGA Tour at TPC Louisiana; Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry are the defending champions; Watch live on Thursday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Golf, with full coverage from 8pm

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will defend their title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after the newly crowned Masters champion won on his debut at the PGA Tour team event in 2024.

The Northern Irishman’s appearance is his first since becoming just the sixth player ever to complete the Grand Slam after a dramatic play-off victory over Justin Rose at Augusta National, where he let a four-shot lead slip over the closing holes before winning on the first extra hole.

Prior to finally donning the Green Jacket, McIlroy kicked off his year on the DP World Tour, finishing tied fourth at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic as he returned to the UAE two months after winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

After sitting out the RBC Heritage, where Justin Thomas picked up his first PGA Tour win since 2022, McIlroy returns alongside Lowry in the tournament they decided to play in following a “drunken lunch” celebrating Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in Rome back in 2024.

Their victory a year ago came through a play-off, beating Martin Trainer and Chad Ramey, Trainer coming up short in his effort to reach the green before missing a par putt which gave McIlory and Lowry the win.

McIlroy and Lowry went on to give a now infamous rendition of Journey’s hit ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ in celebration.

Who else is playing this week?

Matt Fitzpatrick will partner his brother Alex, while the Hojgaard brothers – Rasmus and Nicolai – also form to make a team.

Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald teams up with Camilo Villegas, while two-time major champion Collin Morikawa pairs up with Kurt Kitayama.

Former winner Billy Horschel partners Tom Hoge as Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala join forces, Thomas Detry pairs up with Bob McIntyre, and 2023 champions Nick Hardy and Davis Riley return.

How does the event work and what is the format?

The 80 two-man teams feature in fourballs during the opening round, where players each play their own ball and the best score on each hole from the pair goes towards the team total, then the format switches to foursomes play for the second round.