For Immediate Release:
Media Contacts:
Tom Long
Thomas Long Corporate Communications
504-283-8522 or 504-669-3030 (cell)
Tom@thomaslong.net

Steve Worthy
Fore!Kids Foundation
504-342-3000
sworthy@forekidsfoundation.com

 

NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 9, 2015)-Dynamic PGA TOUR star Dustin Johnson, currently ranked seventh in the world and sixth in FedExCup points, will be playing in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans April 20-26, said Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, producer of the tournament.

"This is huge for our tournament," said Worthy. "Dustin is known by serious and casual golf fans alike as one of the most exciting players on the PGA TOUR for his tremendous athleticism and length off the tee," he added.

A nine-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Johnson won the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship earlier this season. He also finished second in a playoff at the Northern Trust Open, fourth in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and sixth in the Valero Texas Open this season.

Johnson has won at least one tournament every year since he jointed the TOUR in 2008. That places him in an elite group that includes Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, who also won in each of their first eight years.

A first-team All-American at Coastal Carolina College (Conway. S.C.), Johnson played on the 2007 Walker Cup team that also featured 2013 Zurich Classic champion Billy Horschel and fan favorite Rickie Fowler, a regular at the Zurich Classic. Johnson has also played on two U.S Ryder Cup teams and on Presidents Cup team.

He has not played the Zurich Classic since his rookie year on TOUR in 2008, when he did not make the cut.

His record in the majors includes top ten finishes in the U.S. Open, the British Open and the P{GA Championship. In addition to his World Golf Championships victory this year, he also won the WGC-HSBC Championship in 2013. In FedExCup playoff tournaments, he won The Barclays in 2011 and the BMW Championship in 2010. He also finished fourth in the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2010 and 2012, and earned a fifth in the TOUR Championship in 2013.

Known for his prodigious length off the tee, he leads the TOUR in driving distance this season and also leads in strokes gained-tee-to-green, an indication of the accuracy that complements his power.


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 Golf Ball Gala, an AJGA event, a kids' summer junior tour, and several charitable golf tournaments. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Fore!Kids has helped to raise more than $26 million to date for children's charities in metro New Orleans and Baton Rouge. More information at www.zurichgolfclassic.com.

About the Zurich Classic of New Orleans:
Televised in more than 224 countries, 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 $22 million in positive national and international media exposure for both the city and state throughout the year beyond the week of the tournament April 21-27.

Purse for 2014 totals $6.8 million. The winner's share is $1,224,000.

Single-day grounds tickets are only $25 each and weekly passes are $75, available by calling the Tournament Office at 504-342-3000 or online at www.zurichgolfclassic.com.