Zurich Classic Tournament 2025: Final Results, Winners, and Biggest Highlights

The 2025 Zurich Classic Tournament delivered unforgettable moments, stunning performances, and dramatic finishes. From standout shots to the final winning putt, this year’s event had it all. 

In this article, we’ll take you through the final results, highlight the champions, and revisit the key moments that made this tournament one to remember. Keep reading to get all the details! 

Tournament Format and Schedule

The Zurich Classic Tournament 2025 stood out once again with its unique team-based format, setting it apart from traditional PGA Tour events. Held at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana, the tournament ran from April 21 to April 27, 2025, and brought together top-tier professional golfers in pairs, competing in alternating formats over four intense days of play.

Format Breakdown

The event followed a 72-hole stroke play format, with two key formats used over four rounds:

Fourball (Best Ball) – Rounds 1 and 3: 

• Each player in the team plays their own ball. 
• The lowest score on each hole between the two players counts as the team’s score. 
• This format allows for aggressive play, with many birdie opportunities. 

Foursomes (Alternate Shot) – Rounds 2 and 4: 

• Players take alternate shots with a single ball. 
• One teammate tees off on odd-numbered holes, and the other on even-numbered holes. 
• This format requires strong teamwork, precision, and strategy. 

Schedule Highlights

• Monday–Wednesday (April 21–23): Practice rounds and Pro-Am events. 
• Thursday (April 24): Round 1 – Fourball (Best Ball). 
• Friday (April 25): Round 2 – Foursomes (Alternate Shot). 
• Saturday (April 26): Round 3 – Fourball. 
• Sunday (April 27): Final Round – Foursomes. 

This dynamic structure tested both individual skill and team coordination, contributing to some exciting and unpredictable outcomes throughout the week.

Final Results and Leaderboard

The Zurich Classic Tournament 2025 concluded with an impressive performance by Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin, who captured their first PGA Tour title as a team. They finished the event with a remarkable score of 28-under-par, pulling ahead with a clutch birdie on the 17th hole during the final round of alternate shot play.

Their consistency over all four rounds, especially in the tougher alternate shot format, allowed them to edge out several strong teams in a tightly contested tournament.

Top Finishing Teams:

• 1st Place – Andrew Novak & Ben Griffin: -28 
• 2nd Place – Rasmus Højgaard & Nicolai Højgaard: -27 
• Tied 3rd – Jake Knapp & Frankie Capan III: -26  

Notable Placements:

• Defending Champions – Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry: Entered the week with high expectations, but despite a solid showing, they finished tied for 12th at 22-under-par. A couple of late-round bogeys held them back from making a stronger push toward the top. 
• Other Contenders: The Højgaard twins delivered one of the most exciting performances of the week, nearly forcing a playoff before falling just one stroke short. Furthermore, Knapp and Capan III also remained in contention throughout, but couldn’t maintain momentum in the final round. 

The final day showcased intense pressure and precision, especially in the alternate shot format, where every swing could dramatically shift the standings. Novak and Griffin’s ability to stay composed and capitalize on key holes ultimately secured their well-earned victory.

Now that you have an overview of the final results, let’s take a deeper look at the winners and runner-up in the next section.

Winners: Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin

Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin emerged as the surprise champions of the 2025 Zurich Classic, finishing at 28-under-par after four consistent and disciplined rounds. Their victory marked the first PGA Tour win for both players, and it came in dramatic fashion during a pressure-filled final round of alternate shot play.

Key Moments That Secured Their Victory:

• A clutch 35-foot birdie putt by Griffin on the 17th hole of the final round gave them the outright lead. 
• Consistent teamwork during the alternate shot rounds, where many teams struggled, helped them maintain momentum. 
• They avoided major mistakes on the back nine Sunday, showing composure under pressure. 

Round-by-Round Performance:

• Round 1 (Best Ball): -10
• Round 2 (Alternate Shot): -6 
• Round 3 (Best Ball): -11 
• Round 4 (Alternate Shot): -1 
• Total: -28 (Source: PGA)

This victory not only gave Novak and Griffin a significant share of the $9.2 million purse ($1.33 million each) but also boosted their standings in the FedEx Cup and provided exemptions into several key PGA Tour events, including the PGA Championship.

Their win at the Zurich Classic has positioned them as rising players to watch heading into the rest of the season. 

Runner-Up and Other Top Teams: Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard – 2nd Place (-27)

The Højgaard twins from Denmark delivered a thrilling run at the title, finishing just one shot behind the winners. Their strong showing in the final round kept pressure on Novak and Griffin until the very end. With aggressive play and solid chemistry, the twins proved they’re a serious team threat on the PGA Tour.

Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III – Tied 3rd (-25)

Knapp and Capan III were in contention for most of the tournament. They capitalized on birdie opportunities during the Fourball rounds but lost ground during the more demanding alternate shot formats. Still, their third-place finish highlighted their growing potential as a team.

Other Standout Performances:

• Jake Knapp & Frankie Capan III also tied for 3rd at -26, showing strong form throughout the tournament. 
• David Lipsky & Dylan Wu, Taylor Dickson & Trace Crowe, Karl Vilips & Michael Thorbjornsen, and Luke List & Henrik Norlander finished in a great tie for 4th place with a fantastic score of -25. 
• Teams such as Chad Ramey & Justin Lower along with Isaiah Salinda & Kevin Velo, put forth fantastic performances, securing a tie for 8th place with an impressive score of -24. 
• Jacob Bridgeman & Chandler Phillips and Hayden Buckley & Braden Thornberry all showcased their skills wonderfully, finishing in the top 10 of the tournament by securing a spot in the T10.

The 2025 Zurich Classic featured one of the most competitive leaderboards in recent years, with multiple teams within striking distance of the title heading into Sunday.

Zurich Classic 2025 Prize Money and Payout Breakdown: $9.2 million purse Breakdown

The total purse for the 2025 Zurich Classic was set at $9.2 million. This figure represents a significant reward for the top-performing teams, with the champions taking home substantial earnings, while other top finishers also earned generous payouts.

Total Purse:

• Total Prize Money: $9.2 million 

Winner’s Share and Breakdown for Top Finishers:

The winning team of Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin earned a substantial prize, each taking home $1,329,400 from the total purse. Here’s the payout breakdown for the top teams:

Position	Team	Score	FedExCup Points (each)	Earnings (each)
1st	Andrew Novak & Ben Griffin	-28	400	$1,329,400
2nd	Nicolai Højgaard & Rasmus Højgaard	-27	162.5	$542,800
3rd	Jake Knapp & Frankie Capan III	-26	105	$355,350
T4	David Lipsky & Dylan Wu	-25	72.75	$242,075
	Taylor Dickson & Trace Crowe	-25	72.75	$242,075
	Karl Vilips & Michael Thorbjornsen	-25	72.75	$242,075
	Luke List & Henrik Norlander	-25	72.75	$242,075
T8	Chad Ramey & Justin Lower	-24	52	$154,100
	Isaiah Salinda & Kevin Velo	-24	52	$154,100
T10	Jacob Bridgeman & Chandler Phillips	-23	44	$117,300
	Hayden Buckley & Braden Thornberry	-23	44	$117,300
T12	Matteo Manassero & Cristobal Del Solar	-22	30.29	$69,092
	Chris Gotterup & Quade Cummins	-22	30.29	$69,092
	Nick Taylor & Adam Hadwin	-22	30.29	$69,092
	Ryan Gerard & Danny Walker	-22	30.29	$69,092
	Sepp Straka & Brice Garnett	-22	30.29	$69,092
	Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry	-22	30.29	$69,092
T18	J.T. Poston & Keith Mitchell	-21	15.54	$38,755
	Ricky Castillo & William Mouw	-21	15.54	$38,755
	Nate Lashley & Hayden Springer	-21	15.54	$38,755
	Aaron Rai & Sahith Theegala	-21	15.54	$38,755
	Trey Mullinax & Robby Shelton	-21	15.54	$38,755
	Ryo Hisatsune & Takumi Kanaya	-21	15.54	$38,755
T24	Steven Fisk & Tim Widing	-20	9.25	$24,748
	Sam Stevens & Max McGreevy	-20	9.25	$24,748
T26	David Skinns & Ben Taylor	-19	7.25	$21,942
	Vince Whaley & Anders Albertson	-19	7.25	$21,942
T28	Paul Peterson & Thomas Rosenmueller	-18	5.5	$20,700
	Kevin Tway & Bud Cauley	-18	5.5	$20,700
	Nico Echavarria & Max Greyserman	-18	5.5	$20,700
31st	Kris Ventura & Antoine Rozner	-17	4.7	$19,964
T32	Thomas Detry & Robert MacIntyre	-16	3.9	$19,228
	Davis Riley & Nick Hardy	-16	3.9	$19,228
	Cam Davis & Adam Svensson	-16	3.9	$19,228

Biggest Highlights and Key Moments

The 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans was filled with drama, standout performances, and unexpected turns that kept fans on edge until the final putt. As the only official team-format event on the PGA TOUR, it delivered memorable moments from both top-ranked stars and lesser-known underdogs.

Dramatic Shots and Turning Points in the Final Round

• Ben Griffin’s clutch birdie at the 17th hole was arguably the tournament’s defining moment. Facing one of the toughest holes at TPC Louisiana, Griffin rolled in a birdie from just inside 35 feet(off the green) on the par-3 17th. This spectacular shot gave Team Griffin & Novak the edge they needed to win by one stroke. 
• Final-round pressure tested the leaders. Griffin and Novak posted a 1-under 71, tied for the highest score among teams finishing in the top 10 on Sunday. Despite the modest round, their earlier cushion and steady play helped them secure the title. 
• The Højgaard twins’ late charge nearly forced a playoff. Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard birdied the difficult finishing hole to secure solo second, staying just one stroke behind the winners. 

Notable Performances from Star Players and Underdog Teams

• Griffin and Novak’s breakthrough win was the first PGA TOUR victory for both. Entering the event at +2200 odds, they weren’t the longest shots, but they were far from favorites. Their victory earned each player $1,329,400 and 400 FedExCup points. 
• Twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, who had +2500 odds, delivered a strong performance to finish second. Their consistent play highlighted their growing presence on the PGA TOUR. 
• Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III, at long +9000 odds, exceeded expectations with a solo third-place finish. This is one of the top underdog stories of the tournament. 
• Chad Ramey and Justin Lower, and Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo, each tied for 8th at -24. Notably, Salinda and Velo set a tournament-record 58 in the better-ball format to start the event, and even led at the halfway mark before slipping slightly in the alternate shot rounds. 
• Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, the defending champions and pre-tournament favorites (+360), ended the week tied for 12th. Despite high hopes, they couldn’t gain enough momentum in the final stages. 
• Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, another high-profile team, missed the cut entirely, demonstrating just how unpredictable this unique team event can be. 

Recap of Standout Rounds and Low Scores

• Opening fireworks came from Salinda and Velo, who shot a historic 58 in the first round. That round, achieved in better-ball format, set a new Zurich Classic record and electrified the leaderboard. 
• Multiple teams finished at 25-under 263, including David Lipsky & Dylan Wu, Taylor Dickson & Trace Crowe, Karl Vilips & Michael Thorbjornsen, and Luke List & Henrik Norlander, showcasing the depth of competition and strong scoring across the board. 
• Winning score: Griffin and Novak posted a total of 28-under-par 260, an impressive tally considering the demanding format of alternating better-ball and alternate-shot rounds.

Star Players and Fan Favorites

The 2025 Zurich Classic featured a strong field with some of the biggest names in golf pairing up for this unique team-format event. However, not all high-profile teams lived up to the pre-tournament expectations.

Performance of Top Teams:

• Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry: Entering as the defending champions and the pre-tournament favorites with odds of just +360, McIlroy and Lowry were expected to contend again. Despite flashes of brilliance, the duo finished T12 at 266 (-22), well outside the top 10. While they didn’t repeat their success, their strong following ensured they remained crowd favorites throughout the event. 
• Collin Morikawa & Kurt Kitayama: This pairing had the second-shortest odds to win at +1400. Unfortunately, they missed the cut by two shots, marking one of the biggest surprises and disappointments of the tournament. 
• Nick Taylor & Adam Hadwin: The Canadian duo came in with some momentum but also finished T12 at -22, tied with several other teams including McIlroy/Lowry and Salinda/Velo. Their steady play wasn’t enough to break into contention. 

Notable Surprises:

• Isaiah Salinda & Kevin Velo:  With extremely long odds of +15000, they shocked the field by opening with a tournament-record 58 in the better-ball round. The pair even held the lead at the halfway mark before settling into a T8 finish at -24, earning them a place among the top stories of the tournament.
• Davis Riley & Nick Hardy:  The only previous winning team in the field and 2023 champions, Riley and Hardy came in at +6500 but underperformed and finished T32 at -16, failing to recreate their past success. 

The Zurich Classic once again proved that while star power brings excitement, underdog stories and unheralded talent often steal the show. Though some fan favorites struggled, their participation kept the atmosphere lively and the grandstands full.

Underdogs and Breakout Teams

The 2025 Zurich Classic was a stage not just for the elite but also for emerging talent and dark horse duos who stole the spotlight throughout the tournament. While the top-ranked teams drew the crowds, it was the lesser-known pairings that often delivered the most jaw-dropping moments.

Breakout Performances and Records:

• Isaiah Salinda & Kevin Velo: Perhaps the most talked-about underdog story of the event, Salinda and Velo entered with +15000 odds and stunned the field with a tournament-record 58 in Thursday’s best-ball round. Their fearless start put them atop the leaderboard through Friday, and although they didn’t sustain that pace, they still secured an impressive T8 finish at -24. This team injected early drama and proved that overlooked duos could command serious attention. 
• Ben Kohles & Patton Kizzire: Quietly consistent across all four rounds, this pairing climbed the leaderboard with minimal hype. Their performance peaked with a strong final-round push, helping them secure a T5 finish, far exceeding their mid-tier expectations. 
• Matt NeSmith & Taylor Moore: Flying under the radar at the beginning, this team made a name for themselves with smart course management and clutch putting. They ultimately finished inside the top 10, making a case for future contention in similar team events. 

Contribution to the Tournament’s Excitement:

• These unexpected contenders kept the leaderboard volatile, making each round unpredictable. 
• Their success also heightened the intensity for the favorites, who could no longer afford to play conservatively. 
• Fans embraced the surprise storylines, creating new fan favorites and highlighting the depth of talent on the PGA Tour. 

The success of underdogs at the Zurich Classic reinforced the thrill of team competition in golf, where chemistry, momentum, and a fearless approach can rival experience and ranking.

What’s Next on the PGA Tour

The Zurich Classic 2025 marked a thrilling chapter in the PGA Tour, but the journey doesn’t stop here. The event served as a critical stepping stone for many players, with several top names and emerging stars looking ahead to the upcoming challenges. 

Here’s what’s next for the players and what fans can expect after the Zurich Classic:  

Upcoming Events for Top Players:

• Wells Fargo Championship (May 8–11): Many of the Zurich Classic’s top finishers, including Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, are expected to tee it up at Quail Hollow. The event is a designated Signature Event, drawing a strong field with elevated FedEx Cup points and prize money on the line. 
• PGA Championship (May 15–18): Just two weeks out, the season’s second major at Valhalla Golf Club looms large. Team chemistry, confidence, and sharpness displayed in New Orleans could prove valuable for players fine-tuning their games before tackling major championship pressure. 
• Charles Schwab Challenge & Memorial Tournament: These back-to-back events continue the high-stakes stretch, giving players more opportunities to solidify their standings before summer. 

Implications for Rankings and Momentum:

• Billy Horschel, with his win alongside Tyson Alexander, picks up valuable FedEx Cup points and injects life into a previously underwhelming season, possibly signaling a strong mid-season comeback. 
• Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele’s near-miss reinforces their elite status and positions them as favorites heading into the PGA Championship. 
• Rising teams like Salinda and Velo earned national attention, boosting their confidence and potentially opening doors to more high-profile invites. 

Anticipation for Future Team Events:

• The Zurich Classic continues to grow in popularity, and this year’s excitement only fuels interest in future team formats, including the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and potential new team-based PGA Tour events. 
• Fans and players alike have responded well to the camaraderie and strategic nuance that team golf brings, showing there’s room for more innovation in tournament structure moving forward. 

As the Tour presses on, New Orleans may be remembered as the week that sparked storylines, reignited careers, and gave fans a renewed appreciation for golf’s team dynamic.

Final Wordict

The 2025 Zurich Classic once again showcased why it’s one of the most thrilling and unique events on the PGA Tour calendar. With its refreshing team-based format and alternating styles of play, this year’s tournament offered a perfect blend of strategy, skill, and suspense. 

• Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin’s breakthrough win captured the spirit of perseverance and teamwork, proving that emerging talents can rise to the occasion under immense pressure. 
• From the Højgaard twins’ valiant runner-up performance to standout moments like Griffin’s clutch birdie on the 17th, the tournament delivered unforgettable highlights. 

With a stacked leaderboard, dramatic finishes, and career-defining victories, the Zurich Classic 2025 truly lived up to the hype and solidified its status as a fan favorite. 

Key Takeaways

• Unique Team Format: The Zurich Classic 2025 followed a team-based format, combining Fourball (Best Ball) and Foursomes (Alternate Shot) across four rounds, offering a distinct challenge to competitors. 
• First-Time Winners: Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin secured their first PGA Tour victory, finishing at 28-under-par and clinching the win by just one stroke. 
• Clutch Performance: Ben Griffin’s 35-foot birdie on the 17th hole in the final round was a pivotal moment that helped propel Novak and Griffin to victory. 
• Close Competition: The tournament saw intense competition, with the Højgaard twins finishing second just one shot behind the winners, and several other teams staying in contention throughout the final day. 
• Strong Finish by Underdogs: Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III, long shots with +9000 odds, surprised many by finishing tied for third, showcasing their potential. 
• Prize Money and Payouts: The total prize pool for the 2025 Zurich Classic was $9.2 million, with the winning team taking home $1.33 million each, boosting their FedExCup points and positioning. 
• Historic Record: Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo set a new tournament record with a remarkable 58 in the better-ball format during the first round. 
• Star Players’ Mixed Results: Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry finished tied for 12th, while high-profile pairing Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama missed the cut entirely, highlighting the unpredictability of the event. 
• Impact on FedExCup: Novak and Griffin’s win earned them 400 FedExCup points, propelling them into a stronger position in the season-long standings. 
• Exciting Team Dynamics: The unique pairing format of the event tested both individual skill and teamwork, with some teams thriving under pressure and others struggling with the alternating shot format. 

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