The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is well known for a format not seen anywhere else on the PGA Tour.
Since 2017, it has been a team contest in which 80 teams of two compete in alternating rounds of four-ball and foursomes.
It’s not just the format that sets it apart from other PGA Tour events, though. The perks of winning also differ in some ways.
One big carrot available at regular PGA Tour events is world ranking points, but they’re not on offer at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, meaning that technically, even the winners could finish the event lower in the world rankings than at the start of the week.
However, there is much more on offer. One perk comparable to many other PGA Tour events is the prize money, with $9,500,000 available in 2026 and the winning team claiming $2,745,500 (giving each player $1,372,750).
That's far from the only reward for winning at TPC Louisiana, though. Here are the details.
PGA Tour Card
Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick claimed the 2026 title with a 72nd-hole birdie. In Matt’s case, he is making a habit of reaching the top of PGA Tour leaderboards in 2026, with the win marking his third in his last four starts.
Those earlier wins, as well as other factors, mean he doesn’t need to worry about the status of his PGA Tour card anytime soon, but the victory is a very big deal for Alex.
The younger Fitzpatrick brother secured a PGA Tour card with the title, because the winners earn two-year exemptions to the circuit.
An Official PGA Tour Win
One big perk is that the history books will show that members of the winning team earned an official PGA Tour title.
For example, when Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry took the honors two years ago, it marked something of a milestone for McIlroy, reaching his quarter-century of PGA Tour titles, despite having the help of his friend to clinch it.
Similarly, the Fitzpatricks' win in 2026 handed Matt his fifth PGA Tour title, with Alex clinching his maiden title on the circuit.
A Place In The PGA Championship
Another similarity with other PGA Tour events is the place in the PGA Championship field the Zurich Classic of New Orleans offers to the winners.
With regards to the Fitzpatricks, Matt was already assured of his place via several qualifying routes, but for Alex, the victory secured his maiden PGA Championship start.
While one Major place is guaranteed to the winners, like the FedEx Cup Fall events, there isn’t a Masters place available at the event.
A Place In The Players Championship
Like other PGA Tour events, a spot at its flagship tournament awaits the winners, with places guaranteed for 2026.
Once again, in Matt Fitzpatrick’s case, that was already secured, but for Alex, it means a first start at the TPC Sawgrass event next year, adding to the life-changing benefits of the victory.
Places In Signature Events
Matt Fitzpatrick is already in the remaining Signature Events this season, and thanks to the win, Alex will also take his place in them.
That means we should see him in the fields for the Cadillac Championship, the Truist Championship, the Memorial Tournament and the Travelers Championship.
FedEx Cup Points
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans may not offer the winners world ranking points, but, like other events, FedEx Cup points are available – although the distribution is different.
Regular PGA Tour events offer 500 FedEx Cup points to the winner, but there are fewer available to the pair who took the title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
That's because the number is a combination of FedEx Cup points awarded to the first and second place, with each of the winners awarded 400 points.
Crystal Trophy And Championship Belt
As well as plenty of career-enhancing perks, there is silverware on offer too, with the winners presented with a crystal trophy, which was introduced in 2019.
Unlike many PGA Tour events, each winner is also presented with a unique championship belt.
