Zurich Details Confirmed: Fowler/Day, Rose/Stenson On Board

The Zurich Classic's move to a 2-man team event in 2017 was announced on Morning Drive by the PGA Tour's Andy Pazder, who confirmed all of the exciting details. Here is Pazder's longer interview on Fairways of Life with Matt Adams.

The long overdue arrival of a radically different format kicked off in grand style with Rickie Fowler announcing that he will be partnering with Jason Day, while another Zurich "ambassador" Justin Rose, will team with Ryder Cup partner Henrik Stenson to create a powerful Gold-Silver medal duo.

Eighty two-man teams will play foursomes Thursday and Saturday and fourballs Friday and Sunday with a Friday night cut to 35 teams. Pazder confirmed that the "conversation" started on Tuesday of this year's Zurich Classic, but was definitely initiated by the tour.

As I noted on Morning Drive, this is the beginning of what is hopefully Jay Monahan's prioritization of fan-friendly initiatives. Combined with the possible shifting of the PGA to May and a season end by Labor Day with a few fresh formats, and things are moving in a sensible and exciting direction.

There is also a natural inclination to believe that if the players respond to this as many assume they will, that some other tournaments in less-than-perfect calendar spots will want to provide a fresh format. That's my view anyway. Maybe a truncated team match play, a mixed event or something else we haven't thought of.

Either way, anyone who has played two-person formats knows that the pressure of playing with a partner is not necessarily easier, meaning those precious FedExCup points will be well earned.