What Is 2020 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 Zurich Classic of New Orleans was a PGA Tour golf tournament held from March 19–22, 2020, at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. It was canceled after the second round due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first PGA Tour cancellation since 2001.

Key Facts

The 2020 Zurich Classic was scheduled for March 19–22, 2020, at TPC Louisiana.
It was canceled after 36 holes due to the global outbreak of COVID-19.
The PGA Tour suspended all events for 13 weeks following the cancellation.
Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy led after two rounds with a score of 13-under-par.
This was the first PGA Tour event canceled since the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Overview

The 2020 Zurich Classic of New Orleans was a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, traditionally held in late March at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. As a team-based event, it featured 80 two-player squads competing in a modified four-round format combining fourball, foursomes, and alternate shot play.

However, the 2020 edition became historically significant not for its competition, but for its abrupt cancellation. With growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus, the PGA Tour suspended the event after 36 holes were completed, marking an unprecedented disruption in modern golf history.

Event dates: The tournament began on March 19, 2020, and was scheduled to conclude on March 22, but was canceled after the second round.
Location: Held at TPC Louisiana, a 7,425-yard course designed by Pete Dye, located just outside New Orleans.
Format: The event used a unique team format, including fourball (best ball), foursomes (alternate shot), and a final-round scramble.
Leaders after 36 holes:Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy held the lead at 13-under-par, one stroke ahead of several chasing teams.
Historical context: This was the first PGA Tour event canceled since the 2001 season was interrupted following the 9/11 attacks.

How It Works

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has a distinctive structure compared to standard PGA Tour events, emphasizing team collaboration over individual performance. Understanding its format helps explain why the 2020 cancellation disrupted not just one player, but entire pairings and fan expectations.

Team Composition: Each team consists of two PGA Tour professionals who must remain together throughout the event, often pairing friends or countrymen.
Round Structure: The tournament uses a four-round rotation—Rounds 1 and 4 in fourball, Rounds 2 and 3 in foursomes or alternate shot.
Scoring Format: In fourball, both players play their own ball, and the team records the lower score; in foursomes, partners alternate shots with one ball.
Field Size: Exactly 80 teams (160 players) are invited, making it one of the smallest and most exclusive events on the PGA Tour schedule.
Sponsorship:Zurich Insurance has been the title sponsor since 2017, shifting the event to a team format and increasing prize money.
Prize Purse: The 2020 purse was $7.5 million, with the winning team receiving $1.35 million, a significant increase from prior individual formats.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2020 Zurich Classic compares to prior years and similar events:

Category	2018 Event	2019 Event	2020 Event
Winner(s)	Jason Day & Cameron Smith	Patrick Reed & Ryan Lumsden	Canceled
Completion Status	Full 72 holes completed	Full 72 holes completed	36 holes completed, then canceled
Prize Purse	$7.3 million	$7.5 million	$7.5 million
Winning Score	24-under-par	22-under-par	No official winner
Tournament Status	Completed	Completed	First PGA Tour cancellation since 2001

The cancellation of the 2020 event had ripple effects across the golf world. It preceded the PGA Tour’s 13-week suspension of all tournaments, the longest hiatus in over two decades. While other events were postponed, this was the first outright cancellation, signaling the severity of the pandemic’s impact on sports.

Why It Matters

The 2020 Zurich Classic of New Orleans stands as a pivotal moment in sports history, symbolizing the abrupt halt of live athletics due to public health concerns. Its cancellation foreshadowed widespread disruptions across global sports leagues, from the NBA to European football.

Precedent-setting decision: The PGA Tour’s move to cancel set a new standard for how sports organizations respond to global health crises.
Economic impact: The cancellation affected local businesses in New Orleans, which typically benefit from over 100,000 attendees during the weekend.
Player rankings: With no official winner, OWGR points were not awarded, affecting qualification for future majors.
Media rights: Broadcast partners like Golf Channel and CBS had to adjust schedules, losing significant ad revenue.
Future planning: The 2021 event returned with strict health protocols, including limited crowds and testing requirements.
Cultural significance: The tournament is a major event in Louisiana’s spring festival season, linking golf to Mardi Gras and jazz culture.

In hindsight, the 2020 Zurich Classic serves as a marker of the pandemic’s arrival in American sports, a moment when the familiar rhythm of competition gave way to uncertainty and adaptation.