After wire-to-wire Zurich Classic win, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele set to defend

Going wire-to-wire to win a 72-hole PGA Tour event is one of the hardest things to do in golf, and many might even say it’s the toughest.

While obviously a rewarding experience, it’s easier and more fun to do with a teammate — who also happens to be one of your closest friends — in the only two-man team event on Tour.

Xander Schauffele isn’t afraid to admit it’s easier to accomplish as a tandem after he and fellow Los Angeles-area product Patrick Cantlay took the title in the Zurich Classic last April.

Cantlay, the world’s No. 4 player, and Schauffele, who’s ranked fifth, will be trying to go back-to-back when the $8.6 million tournament begins a four-day run Thursday morning at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.

A field of 80 two-man teams will set out throughout the day with the morning wave going at 7 a.m. and afternoon session starting at 12:05 p.m.

The format for Thursday and Saturday is Four-Ball (or Best Ball), while Friday and Sunday will be Foursomes (or Alternate Shot).

“I think it’s easier as a team,” Schauffele said about last year’s win, when he and Cantlay topped the leaderboard after each round. “You kind of share the burden of stress and anxiety that comes with winning a golf tournament versus it being all on your own.”

They teamed up to handle the stress and anxiety beautifully a year ago when they carded a course-record 13-under 59 in Four-Ball on Thursday and went from there.

They led by one shot after each of the first two rounds, then busted it wide open with a 12-under 60 in Four-Ball on Saturday to take a five-shot lead into the final round.

They coasted to an even-par 72 on Sunday to win by two strokes over Billy Horschel and former LSU All-American Sam Burns, who are back to give it another strong shot this week. They also tied for fourth in 2021.

“If you hit a bad shot, obviously, when you’re playing a tournament by yourself, you have to pick yourself up,” Schauffele said. “Most years, your partner can pick you up when you’re down. So, it’s probably a little bit easier to go wire-to-wire.”