default-cbs-image

We knew the Zurich Classic was moving to a team format starting in 2017, but what we did not know the format or and how teams would be determined. Now we have our answer as the PGA Tour made its official announcement Monday.

The first two teams in the field are Rickie Fowler-Jason Day and Henrik Stenson-Justin Rose. Other teams will start to emerge closer to the tournament date of April 27-30. Here is the PGA Tour on exactly how putting teams together will operate.

The starting field will consist of 80 teams (160 players). Each of the top available players from the PGA Tour Priority Rankings who commits to the tournament will choose his partner, who in turn must have PGA TOUR status unless he is chosen as a tournament sponsor exemption.

The formate will be alternate shot in Rounds 1 and 3 and best ball in Rounds 2 and 4. Much like we saw at the Ryder Cup earlier this season. Golfers will get to split prize money and FedEx Cup points based on how they finish as a team.

FedExCup points and prize money will be awarded to teams making the cut based on combining every two positions from the distribution table for a standard Tour event, with each team member receiving an equal share. For instance, the winning team will evenly split first and second place FedExCup points (500 for first and 300 for second for 800 total points, or 400 for each player). Official prize money will be distributed in the same manner.

"The addition of a team format adds a new, incredibly exciting element to the event," Rose said. "Henrik and I are very excited to tee it up together in April, and hopefully we can continue our longstanding chemistry and success in team formats."

Fowler tweeted about how excited he was to be playing with the No. 1-ranked Day.

I'm excited, too. This tournament has gone from one of the worst to at least one of the most intriguing. Stenson and Rose facing off against Day and Fowler on the back nine on a Sunday for $1 million? Yeah, I'll watch the hell out of that.

What will be interesting now is to see if any other super teams emerge as players commit to the tournament at the end of April before The Players Championship. I'd love to see a Dustin Johnson-Bubba Watson duo or a Zach Johnson-Jim Furyk. This tournament is going to be a blast this time around, and kudos to the PGA Tour for mixing it up a little bit when it comes to formats.