Leesburg's McLister will play in his first PGA Tour event
Five players to watch at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which tees off Thursday at TPC Louisiana.
BUBBA WATSON
Won the Zurich Classic last year when leader Webb Simpson was penalized as his ball oscillated on the green in heavy winds. The incident led to a rule change. This is the first event for Watson since his Masters victory. Wide open and long TPC Louisiana suits his urge to bomb it.
LUKE DONALD
Dropped to No. 2 in the world behind Rory McIlroy. Donald is the highest-ranked player in a strong field that includes four of the world’s top 10 players. The others are No. 4 Bubba Watson, No. 7 Steve Stricker, and No. 10 Justin Rose. Donald won last month at the Transitions.
BILLY HURLEY
In his rookie season on the PGA Tour, the Leesburg native and Naval Academy graduate is coming off his best finish, a T32 at the Valero Texas Open. Hurley, 29, has made the cut in four of 10 events and is 184th on the money list. He needs to finish in the top 125 to retain his tour card.
JOEY McLISTER
Hurley isn’t the only Loudoun County High graduate in the tournament. This is the first PGA Tour event for McLister, the medalist with a 67 in Monday qualifying at nearby LaTour Golf Club in Matthews, La. The 26-year-old former Delaware star has been playing on the EGolf Tour.
DAVID TOMS
The 2001 Zurich champion and 13-time winner on the PGA Tour returns to his home state. The Shreveport native beat Phil Mickelson by two strokes in his 2001 victory at English Turn. Only players in the field with more PGA Tour victories are Vijay Singh (34) and Ernie Els (18).
Kdunleavy@washingtonexaminer.com
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