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‘Would Love It’ – Bubba Watson Slams Seal of Approval to New Zurich Classic Format

Published 04/25/2021, 12:00 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is the only team format tournament on the PGA Tour. Hence there are many reasons to celebrate when the event approaches the calendar, but there are a few concerning thoughts as well. The first one would be to tweak the tournament format, and even players like Bubba Watson feel that a change should come in place. 

Bubba Watson resonates that the Zurich Classic of New Orleans requires a chance in the playing format. For readers who are unaware, the Zurich Classic conducts Rounds 1 and 3 in a four-ball format, while the second and final rounds will be played in an alternate-shot (foursome) format. 

This structure has been in place ever since the tournament’s team inception in 2017, but there are a few people calling for a change. Not everyone is a fan of the four-ball format and Zurich Classic teammates Scottie Scheffler and Bubba Watson can be named on that list! 

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USA Today via Reuters

Bubba Watson and Scottie Scheffler want a 72-hole alternate-shot format

Following Round 3, a lot of teams were posed with questions about the tournament format at Zurich Classic 2021. The event switches between two different formats through four rounds, and the players are a bit tired of it. 

When a question was brought up about a possible change to the format, a lot of teams expressed their approval. Bubba Watson too, sided with the possibility of having a 72-hole alternate-shot format at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. 

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“Yeah, I would love it. That would be awesome. Some people go home after two rounds, and it could be us. But no, that would be a true — I mean, the mental grind, and it would be faster for TV. We all want that.”

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“But yeah, that would be phenomenal to do that. I’d love to do that. I’d be the first one to sign up,” Watson mentioned. 

Watson wasn’t alone on this. He got backing from his teammate Scottie Scheffler who briefed on the disadvantages of playing four-ball in a tournament. Scheffler also feels a complete alternate-shot tournament would be more “fun.” 

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Bubba Watson and Scottie Scheffler feel this way because four-ball is more about individual play whereas the alternate-shot urges the teams to work together to get past the challenges. What do you think? Should the Zurich Classic alter its format?

Read Also: Zurich Classic 2021: Complete Breakdown of the Prize Money From Winner to Last-Place

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Written by:

Arjun Athreya

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.
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