Music to Scots duo’s ears at the Zurich Classic

Good luck to Russell Knox and Martin Laird in this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Scotland’s PGA Tour players will team up for the foursomes and fourballs event at TPC of Louisiana. The event is a break from the normal 72-hole strokeplay events and it is great to see our two representatives playing together. This year’s tournament also features walk-on music for the first time and Russell and Martin have chosen Flower of Scotland.

They have both spent their golfing careers on the other side of the Atlantic but they are patriotic Scots so hopefully that gives them an extra 15 yards off the tee. It is a great opportunity as the winners each receive a PGA Tour win, a two-year exemption and entry to the Players Championship and the PGA Championship.

I am intrigued to see what impact this format has on viewing figures and the appetite for an event like that on the PGA Tour. The European Tour has done something similar with the GolfSixes and the Belgian Knockout which both take place next month. The 72-hole strokeplay events will always be the norm in golf but it is nice to spice it up with a few different events on the schedule.

Martin Laird