Can two heads really be better than one on the golf course? The PGA Tour’s only official team event is about to give us that answer once again. The 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans kicks off this Thursday at TPC Louisiana. Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry return to the scene of their dramatic playoff victory from last year. The Irish duo will aim to recreate their magic in the unique format that tests both individual skill and team chemistry.

But who are they going up against? Let’s find out.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are aiming for back-to-back titles

McIlroy and Lowry will begin their title defense Thursday morning at 8:52 AM EDT from the 10th tee. They’ll be paired with Tom Hoge and Billy Horschel for the opening round’s four-ball format. The defending champions captured last year’s title in thrilling fashion with a playoff victory over Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer. McIlroy enters fresh off his historic Masters win that completed his career Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Lowry looks to continue his solid form as the pair attempts to become the first team to successfully defend their Zurich title.

Beyond the defending champions, several other formidable teams are set to challenge for the title. Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama form a formidable duo, with Morikawa’s precision iron play complementing Kitayama’s power game perfectly. Thomas Detry and Robert MacIntyre bring strong European credentials, having recently won on the PGA Tour and finished T8 as a team last year. J.T. Poston and Keith Mitchell add another layer of intrigue with their complementary skill sets and strong track records at the Zurich Classic in past years.

The full Round 1 tee times for Thursday’s four-ball session are listed below:

Friday’s Round 2 will shift to the foursomes format, with the following tee times:

The team format creates unique strategic challenges

The Zurich Classic stands out with its alternating format, which tests different aspects of team golf. Rounds 1 and 3 feature Four-ball play, where each golfer plays their own ball. The better score counts as the team score on each hole. This format encourages aggressive play and low scoring. Rounds 2 and 4 switch to the challenging Foursomes format, where players alternate shots with the same ball, allowing for a unique playing experience. This test checks compatibility and places a premium on consistency.

The tournament offers a substantial prize pool of $9.2 million, with each winning team member receiving $1,329,400. Winners also earn valuable benefits like a two-year Tour exemption and spots in the PGA Championship. The format creates exciting strategic decisions that players don’t face in standard tournaments. Many teams choose partners based on complementary styles or personal connections.

Fans can catch all the action on Golf Channel from 3 to 6 PM EDT on Thursday and Friday. CBS takes over weekend coverage from 3:00 to 6:00 PM EDT on Saturday and Sunday. The unique team dynamic promises an entertaining week of golf unlike anything else on tour. Which pair will claim the trophy? The dynamic duo of McIlroy and Lowry certainly seems ready for round two.