zurichclassic2017 teams line up for new format
IT ’ S A FAMILY AFFAIR--BROOKS KOEPKA PICKS HIS BROTHER CHASE AS TEAMMATE
Brooks Koepka , currently ranked 24th in the world , has picked his brother Chase to team with him in the 2017 Zurich Classic , announced Steve Worthy , CEO of the Fore ! Kids Foundation , producer of the tournament .
“ Our new team format is attracting a number of interesting pairings , and the Koepka brothers will be one of the most unusual ,” said Worthy . “ We are delighted to offer an exemption so Brooks and Chase can play together for the first time not just in their professional careers but in their entire lives ,” Worthy added .
Brooks revealed in an interview on Golf Channel this week prior to the start of the World Golf Championship — Dell Technologies Match Play that he and Chase have never played together .
Brooks has won once on the PGA TOUR and six times internationally . His best finish this season was a second in the Shriners Hospital for Children Open . He last played the Zurich Classic in 2014 , when he finished tied for 21st .
He was a member of the victorious U . S . Ryder Cup team in 2016 , when he was one of the team leaders with three wins .
He is one of the longest drivers on the PGA TOUR , ranking sixth in driving distance .
His brother Chase currently plays on the European Challenge Tour , where his older brother also launched his path to the PGA TOUR .
Chase played collegiately at University of South Florida , where he was named Big East Conference Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year . He holds the USF record for most wins in a college career .
In addition to the Koepka team , Luke Donald , who was ranked # 1 in the world for a total of 56 weeks in 2011-2012 , will partner in this year ’ s Zurich Classic with Jamie Lovemark , who made the playoff in last year ’ s tournament .
Donald has won five times of the PGA TOUR and eight times internationally . He is one of only 16 players to make all ten FedExCup Playoffs since the format was launched .
He has played on four Ryder Cup teams and three World Cup teams as a pro , plus two Walker Cup teams while he played collegiately at Northwestern . His Ryder Cup record is a sterling 8-2-1 , and he is undefeated in six Foursomes matches .
22