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Zurich Classic 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to Thursday's Tee Times and Top Pairings

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Alright, golf fans, buckle up. The 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans is kicking off this Thursday, April 23rd, down at TPC Louisiana. And let me tell you, this year’s event is shaping up to be a damn good time. We’re talking about some serious talent hitting the links, all vying for that trophy. If you want to know who’s playing when and with whom, you’ve come to the right damn place. This isn’t just about watching golf; it’s about knowing the battle lines drawn from the first tee.This tournament’s format, with players teaming up, always brings a different kind of drama. You see partnerships blossom, and sometimes, you see them crumble under pressure. It’s a unique beast, and this year looks like it’s packed with some real powerhouses ready to make their mark. We’ve got major winners, guys on the cusp of breaking through, and teams that just plain know how to get it done.

The Big Names You Can't Miss

Let’s talk about the heavy hitters. Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka is in the field, and he’s teaming up with Shane Lowry. Now, Lowry knows a thing or two about winning this event – he snagged it back in 2024 with Rory McIlroy. So, you’ve got experience and pure grit right there. They’re going to be a tough team to beat, no doubt about it.But they’ve got some serious competition, especially from the team that’s coming in as the favorites: Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick. Matt’s been on a tear this season with two wins already, and Alex just notched his first DP World Tour victory. That’s a potent combination. The stakes are high for both these top teams. For the Fitzpatricks, a win would mean Alex finally earns his PGA Tour card – a massive career milestone. For Koepka, a victory here could open the door to more Signature Events later in the season. Talk about motivation.You’ll want to catch Koepka and Lowry going head-to-head with the Fitzpatrick brothers. Their opening round tee time is set for 1:29 p.m. ET on Thursday. Mark your calendars, folks. This is the kind of pairing that can define the early narrative of the tournament. It’s not just about individual skill; it’s about how these duos gel under the spotlight.

How to Catch All the Action

Don’t want to miss a single swing? I get it. For the opening round on Thursday, you can tune into the Golf Channel from 3-6 p.m. ET. If you’re an early bird or just can’t get enough, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will have you covered with exclusive streaming starting at 8 a.m. ET. They’ll also be showcasing featured groups and holes, so you can get an up-close look at the drama unfolding.And hey, if you’re feeling lucky or just enjoy the strategic side of the game, there are always opportunities to get in on the action. Signing up for Fanatics Sportsbook with code “SUBPAR” might just get you a sweet welcome offer. It’s a way to add another layer of excitement to the tournament, though always remember to bet responsibly. It’s golf, not a guaranteed payday.

Thursday's Full Tee Times and Groupings

Alright, enough preamble. Here are the full tee times and pairings for Thursday’s opening round at TPC Louisiana. Get ready to plan your viewing strategy.

Tee No. 1

* 8:00 a.m. – Austin Cook/Jason Dufner, Sam Stevens/Zach Bauchou * 8:13 a.m. – Mark Hubbard/Ryan Brehm, Ben Martin/Trace Crowe * 8:26 a.m. – Lanto Griffin/Ben Kohles, Chad Ramey/Justin Lower * 8:39 a.m. – Kevin Yu/Tom Kim, Taylor Pendrith/Mackenzie Hughes * 8:52 a.m. – Davis Thompson/Austin Eckroat, Chris Kirk/Patton Kizzire * 9:05 a.m. – Rafael Campos/Alejandro Tosti, Max McGreevy/Kevin Roy * 9:18 a.m. – Jonathan Byrd/Chez Reavie, Alex Smalley/Hayden Springer * 9:31 a.m. – James Hahn/Kyle Stanley, Zac Blair/Patrick Fishburn * 9:44 a.m. – Frankie Capan III/Noah Goodwin, Pontus Nyholm/Jesper Svensson * 12:50 p.m. – Luke List/Henrik Norlander, Chandler Phillips/Carson Young * 1:03 p.m. – Joel Dahmen/Kevin Streelman, Andrew Putnam/Austin Smotherman, Hank Lebioda * 1:16 p.m. – Ryan Gerard/Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Matt Wallace/Marco Penge * 1:29 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick, Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry * 1:42 p.m. – Aaron Rai/Sahith Theegala, Luke Clanton/Blades Brown * 1:55 p.m. – Cam Davis/Geoff Ogilvy, Keith Mitchell/Brandt Snedeker * 2:08 p.m. – Matthieu Pavon/Martin Couvra, Ryan Palmer/Chan Kim * 2:21 p.m. – Nick Dunlap/Gordon Sargent, Kristoffer Reitan/Kris Ventura * 2:34 p.m. – Haotong Li/Jordan Smith, Adrien Dumont de Chassart/Davis Chatfield

Tee No. 10

* 8:00 a.m. – Peter Malnati/Russell Knox, Ben Silverman/Cameron Champ * 8:13 a.m. – Charley Hoffman/Nick Watney, Beau Hossler/Sam Ryder * 8:26 a.m. – David Lipsky/Rico Hoey, Danny Walker/Jimmy Stanger * 8:39 a.m. – Michael Brennan/Johnny Keefer, Karl Vilips/Michael Thorbjornsen * 8:52 a.m. – Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak, Wyndham Clark/Taylor Moore * 9:05 a.m. – Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge, Tony Finau/Max Greyserman * 9:18 a.m. – Davis Riley/Nick Hardy, Matti Schmid/Seamus Power * 9:31 a.m. – Camilo Villegas/Marcelo Rozo, Will Gordon/Paul Peterson * 9:44 a.m. – Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen/Jacob Skov Olesen, Christo Lamprecht/Neal Shipley * 12:50 p.m. – Troy Merritt/Robert Streb, Harry Higgs/Jeremy Paul * 1:03 p.m. – Brice Garnett/Lee Hodges, Eric Cole/Hank Lebioda * 1:16 p.m. – Adam Svensson/Adam Hadwin, Vince Whaley/Greyson Sigg * 1:29 p.m. – Garrick Higgo/Matt Kuchar, Erik van Rooyen/Christiaan Bezuidenhout * 1:42 p.m. – William Mouw/Takumi Kanaya, Matt McCarty/Mac Meissner * 1:55 p.m. – Adam Schenk/Tyler Duncan, Stephan Jaeger/Jackson Suber * 2:08 p.m. – Trey Mullinax/David Skinns, Scott Piercy/Taylor Montgomery * 2:21 p.m. – Doug Ghim/Jeffrey Kang, Dylan Wu/Zecheng Dou * 2:34 p.m. – John Parry/Dan Brown, A.J. Ewart/Casey Jarvis * 2:47 p.m. – Chandler Blanchet/John VanDerLaan, Keita Nakajima/Kensei Hirata

What to Watch For Beyond the Big Names

While the marquee pairings get a lot of attention, don’t sleep on the other groups. The Zurich Classic is known for its unique team format, and sometimes the unexpected pairings deliver the goods. You’ve got established PGA Tour pros teaming up with rising stars, or even seasoned veterans looking to recapture some magic. Keep an eye on teams like Wyndham Clark and Taylor Moore, or Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge. These guys are more than capable of making a run at the title.The course itself, TPC Louisiana, can be a tricky beast. It’s known for its water hazards and those infamous Louisiana winds that can whip up out of nowhere. This means strategy and solid decision-making are going to be crucial. Teams that can communicate well, trust each other’s shots, and avoid costly mistakes will be the ones to watch. It’s not just about bombing drives; it’s about smart golf.

The Stakes Are High for Everyone

Remember those storylines we talked about? A win for Alex Fitzpatrick would be huge for his career, giving him that coveted PGA Tour card. For Koepka, it’s about solidifying his comeback and gaining momentum. But it’s not just them. Every team out there has something to play for. Whether it’s prize money, FedExCup points, or simply the pride of winning one of golf’s more unique team events, the motivation is palpable.This tournament is a fantastic showcase of partnership and skill. The best golf teams don’t just rely on individual brilliance; they rely on chemistry, communication, and a shared goal. Watching how these pairs navigate the pressure, celebrate successes, and support each other through challenges is what makes the Zurich Classic so compelling.So, there you have it. Your essential guide to the 2026 Zurich Classic’s opening round. Get ready for some fantastic golf, some unexpected twists, and hopefully, a whole lot of excitement. It all tees off Thursday. You don’t want to miss it. For more information on PGA Tour events and player statistics, check out the official PGA Tour website.