'Number 1' Scheffler "Breaking records is ongoing~"..."This time's target is Team Battle"

Night of the 21st Opening '2-Person Team' Zurich Classic: Palmer's March to 5th Victory, Smith-Lishman Defend Title, Im Sungjae Accompanies An Byeonghun

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has already embarked on his quest for a fifth victory at the Zurich Classic, a two-man team battle.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It is world No.1 Scottie Scheffler's 'stamp-breaking' challenge.

On the night of the 21st (Korean time), he threw his hat into the ring for the PGA Tour Zurich Classic (total prize money $8.3 million) kicking off at Avondale Louisiana Golf Club (par 72, 7,425 yards) in Avondale, Louisiana, USA. This tournament is a 'two-man team battle.' The 1st and 3rd rounds are four-ball (each player plays their own ball and the better score counts), and the 2nd and 4th rounds are foursomes (two players alternate playing one ball).

Scheffler is naturally the 'No.1 favorite to win.' He has won 4 of the last 6 tournaments, leading in wins, prize money, and FedEx Cup points (PO) rankings. What’s especially interesting is that since his first PGA Tour victory at the Phoenix Open in February, he has dominated various formats including the Invitational (Arnold Palmer) and Match Play (Dell Match) in March, and the Major (Masters) in April. This 'team match victory' is particularly special.

Scheffler is also strong in 'two-man team' events. During last September’s Ryder Cup, the intercontinental golf competition between the USA and Europe, he and 'The Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau achieved 1 win and 1 draw in foursomes, and on the final day, he defeated Europe’s ace Jon Rahm (Spain) by 4 holes in singles, causing a stir. He also finished tied for 8th in this tournament last year, accumulating 'know-how on conquering the Louisiana course.' He is teaming up with Ryan Palmer (both from the USA).

The "Australian duo" Cameron Smith (left) and Marc Leishman challenge a consecutive win in the "two-person team battle" Zurich Classic.

The 'Australian duo' Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman are the defending champions. Smith notably won in 2017 with Jonas Blixt (Sweden) and then again last year after changing partners to Leishman. It is worth noting that they already secured two wins in January 2022 at the Sentry Tournament and in March at 'the 5th Major' The Players Championship. Smith was left with some regret after a triple bogey on the 12th hole (par 3) on the final day of the Masters, finishing tied for 3rd.

The 'PO champ' Patrick Cantlay and 'Tokyo Olympic gold medalist' Xander Schauffele form another exciting pairing. Cantlay narrowly lost in a playoff first round to Jordan Spieth on the final day of the RBC Heritage on the 18th, finishing runner-up twice, and is eager for his first win of the season. 'Number 2' Collin Morikawa (both USA) and Viktor Hovland (Norway) have joined the race for the title, followed by Tyrrell Hatton and Danny Willett, Tommy Fleetwood (all England), and Sergio Garcia (Spain).

The 'K Brothers' are Im Sung-jae (24) and An Byeong-hun (30). Im also enjoys 'team battles,' recording 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss at the Presidents Cup in December 2019. An, after a slump last year that saw him drop to the Korn Ferry (2nd tier) Tour, is on the rise with a win at the February RSM Classic and a runner-up finish at the Veritex Bank Championship on the 17th. Kang Sung-hoon (35, both CJ Logistics) and John Huh (USA), Bae Sang-moon (36) and Danny Lee (New Zealand), Noh Seung-yul (32) and Michael Kim (USA) are also looking for their chance.

Sungjae Im (center) and Byung-Hun An will compete in the '2-player team battle' Zurich Classic.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.