Big changes are coming to the PGA Tour…or to one event at least. The PGA Tour’s Policy Board has approved the Zurich Classic’s proposed two-man team format.

This means we’ll get to see, for example, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler playing two rounds each of foursome and four-ball competition, as the pair announced today.  

The April 24-30 event at TPC Louisiana has generated a substantial amount of buzz—both inside and outside the ropes. In addition to the Day-Fowler duo, the Olympic gold and silver medalists, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, are slated to join forces in Louisiana.

“I’ve loved being a part of team events throughout my amateur, collegiate and now professional career,” Rickie Fowler said. “I’m so excited that the Tour and Zurich are making this part of our schedule and can’t wait to tee it up with Jason in April.”

Justin Rose, for his part, subtly threw down the gauntlet with his statement.

“The addition of a team format adds a new, incredibly exciting element to the event,” Rose said. “[Stenson] and I are very excited to tee it up together in April, and hopefully we can continue our longstanding chemistry and success in team formats.”

Some additional notes on the tournament format and implications, per the PGA Tour:

• Foursomes (alternate shot) during the first and third rounds and Four-Ball (best ball) during the second and fourth rounds.
• The starting field will consist of 80 teams (160 players).
• Each of the top available players from the PGA Tour Priority Rankings who commits to the tournament will choose his partner, who in turn must have PGA TOUR status unless he is chosen as a tournament sponsor exemption.
• Following the conclusion of the second round, there will be a cut to the low 35 teams and ties at the 35th position. In case of a tie after 72 holes, there will be a sudden-death playoff using the Four-Ball format.
• The Zurich Classic of New Orleans will continue to award FedExCup points and official money, and will count as an official victory for the members of the winning team.
• FedExCup points and prize money will be awarded to teams making the cut based on combining every two positions from the distribution table for a standard Tour event, with each team member receiving an equal share.
  

Ultimately, “golf fanalysts” NoLayingUp hit the nail on the head with their Twitter take (as they so often do). 

A simple tweak in format, and the Zurich Classic is making headlines six months in advance of the event. All in on more of this stuff.

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) November 14, 2016