NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 12, 2018)—Kevin Kisner, who holed a 95-foot chip in the dark to force a Monday playoff last year, will team again with fellow Aiken, SC resident Scott Brown in the 2018 Zurich Classic, announced Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the tournament.
Brandt Snedeker has also paired with J.B. Holmes in this year’s tournament, the only regular-season event featuring a team format, Worthy announced.
“Kevin and Scott almost took the title last year, and are pairing up again in search of victory this year,” said Worthy. “And we are pleased that Brandt Snedeker is making his first appearance in the Zurich Classic since 2011, teaming up with J.B Holmes, who finished tied for fifth here last year,” added Worthy.
Kisner moved on from his team’s four-hole playoff loss on Monday at the Zurich Classic to win the Dean & Deluca Invitational a month later.
He is ranked 25th in the world following the best year of his career in 2017 that included two seconds and a third to go along with his victory, which was his second on the PGA TOUR. He advanced to the TOUR Championship for the third consecutive season and tied for third in the season-ending tournament.
He then closed out the year with a 2-0-2 record in the Presidents Cup, helping the U.S. team to a decisive 19-11 victory.
This season he made the finals of the WGC—Dell Match Play, losing to Bubba Watson in the championship match. He also tied for fourth in the RSM Classic.
As an amateur, he became the first player in University of Georgia history to be named All-American four times and led the Bulldogs to the 2005 NCAA championship.
Kisner’s playing partner Scott Brown owns one PGA TOUR title in his career that started in 2012 on the TOUR.
So far this season, he has posted a tie for fifth in the CJ Cup Nine Bridges, when he entered the final round tied for the lead with eventual winner Justin Thomas. He also posted a tie for sixth in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba earlier this season.
He was a two-time Division II All-American and the Division II Jack Nicklaus Award winner for college player of the year at the University of South Carolina-Aiken. He led the USC-Aiken Pacers to three consecutive NCAA Division II national championships from 2004-2006.
Snedeker has won eight times on the PGA TOUR, including the 2012 TOUR Championship and twice at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. His season was shortened last year because of a rib injury. Despite the injury, he still qualified for the FedExCup playoffs for the 11th consecutive year.
He was voted the 2007 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year and became only the 15th rookie to qualify for the TOUR Championship. He has accumulated an outstanding record at the U.S. Open with five top 10 finishes in 11 starts.
He has played on one Presidents Cup team and two Ryder Cup squads, plus earning a spot in the 2008 World Cup.
Before he turned pro, he won the 2003 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. He was named an All-American while playing for Vanderbilt, the first Commodore to ever earn the honor. He represented the United States in the 2002 USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship, going 3-0 to lead the U.S. to a 31-29 victory.
Holmes has four PGA TOUR victories in his career. He won his first tournament, the Waste Management Open, in his rookie season.
His best finish this season was a fourth in the Farmers Insurance Open.
He has made two Ryder Cup teams and one President Cup squad. He also made the 2005 winning Walker Cup team.
Holmes was named 2005 SEC Player of the Year and was a member of the winning Palmer Cup team that year. He led the University of Kentucky golf team to its first SEC championship. He made All-American three times at Kentucky and was named Academic All-American in 2004-05.
The Zurich Classic is the only team tournament on the PGA TOUR season. This year’s 72-hole stroke team play format will feature Four-Ball (best ball) during the first and third rounds and Foursomes (alternate shot) during the second and fourth rounds. The starting field will consist of 80 teams. Following the conclusion of the second round, the field will be cut to the low 35 teams and ties. In case of a tie after 72 holes, there will be a sudden-death playoff using Foursomes (alternate shot) for the first extra hole and Four-ball (best ball) for the second extra hole and alternate each hole thereafter.
Already committed to the tournament are: new Masters champion Patrick Reed; FedExCup leader Justin Thomas, ranked second in the world; Jon Rahm, ranked fourth in the world; Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion; Bubba Watson, who has won twice this season and will be paired with 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Matt Kuchar; 2016 Olympic gold and silver winners Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson playing as a team again and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk.
About Fore!Kids Foundation:
Since 1958, the Fore!Kids Foundation has raised money to fund children's service organizations through golf events like the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Taste of the Tournament gala and several charitable golf tournaments. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Fore!Kids has helped to raise more than $34 million to date for children’s charities in metro New Orleans and Baton Rouge. More information at www.forekidsfoundation.com.
About the Zurich Classic of New Orleans:
Televised in more than 224 countries and territories, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans generates a significant economic impact on the city of New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana. Independent research has shown that the tournament generates spending of more than $40 million within the local economy and garners $33 million in positive national and international media exposure for both the city and state throughout the year beyond the four days of competition.
The tournament will be played April 23-29, 2018 at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. The purse for 2018 totals $7.2 million, with each member of the winning team earning $1,036,800.
Single-day grounds tickets are only $35 and weekly passes are $85. Single day tickets for the two most popular hospitality venues on the PGA TOUR start at $85 for Acme Oyster House and $185 for The Champions Club. Other choices of a suite and specialty venue options are available by calling the Tournament Office at 504-342-3000 or online at www.zurichgolfclassic.com.
###
Media Contact:
Tom Long
504-669-3030
tom@thomaslong.net