Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2024: Format, rules for PGA Tour team event

With the WGC-Match Play no longer a part of the PGA Tour schedule, this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans represents the lone event of the season with a unique format. As the tour returns to the 'Pelican State' this week, PGA golf takes a break from its usual 72-hole stroke play format.

80 two-man teams will take on the challenge at TPC Louisiana this week and with five of the world's Top 15 players set to tee it up this week, including World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, this year's Zurich Classic of New Orleans will feature one of its strongest fields in recent memory.

With a unique format in play this week and a break from the norm, golf fans may be wondering exactly how this week's action at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans is set to play out. Here is a look at the format and rules for the lone team event on the PGA schedule this season.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans format and rules for 2024

The 80 two-man teams in this year's field of 160 players at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans will play two different formats of team golf this week, Four-balls (best ball) in rounds one and three, and Foursomes (alternate shot) in rounds two and four. After the first two days of Four-balls and Foursomes action, the Top 33 teams and ties on the leaderboard will make the cut and compete in the final two rounds at TPC Louisiana.

Should a playoff be required following the completion of 72 holes with two or more teams tied at the top of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans leaderboard, teams will compete in a sudden-death hole-by-hole playoff rotating between Foursomes and Four-balls.

What is Foursomes (alternate shot) format?

The vastly more difficult format of the two that will be implemented at this week's Zurich Classic, Foursomes (alternate shot) consists of each two-man team playing one golf ball throughout 18 holes. Both players on each team rotate between shots with one player hitting the tee shot on the even-numbered holes and the other on the odd-numbered holes. From there, the duo takes turns rotating between shots until the golf ball is holed. Typically, with the difficulty of this team format, anything under par is considered a good score, especially in comparison to the easier Four-ball (best ball) format.

What is Four-ball (best ball) format?

Teams will be looking to take advantage of the easier of the two formats this week; Four-ball (best ball). In rounds one and three at this year's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, every player on each team will play their own golf ball on each hole with the best score on each team (between both players) being tallied up. For example, Player A makes par on a hole while Player B makes birdie, the team is then credited with a birdie since Player B recorded the best score on that hole for the duo. Hence the name, best ball. It will be vital for teams to take advantage of the Four-ball format this week to be in contention come Sunday.

The 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans takes place Thursday, April 25th - Sunday, April 28th.