US Tour:American Boo Weekley, who claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory on Monday, is one of the draw cards at the New Orleans Classic in Avondale, Louisiana, which starts today.
The 33-year-old Florida resident held off world number five Ernie Els with dramatic chip-ins to save par on the last two holes of the Heritage Classic in South Carolina.
Weekley's presence at the Tournament Players Club of Louisiana is a boost for organisers who have world number 19 David Toms as the only member of the top-20 in their field.
"It always helps to have a player who's hot," tournament director Tommy Fonseca said.
Other notable entries include 1989 British Open champion Mark Calcavecchia, US Ryder Cup team-mates Chris DiMarco and Lucas Glover, Bob Hope Classic winner Charley Hoffman and Swede Jesper Parnevik.
Perhaps the biggest point of interest this week is that the TPC Louisiana returns to host the tournament for a second time, only 19 months after being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
More than 2,000 trees were destroyed on the Pete Dye-designed course which has undergone extensive restoration.
"I'm proud of the fact we're able to host the Zurich Classic here again. That's the biggest accomplishment," said Steve Wenzloff, vice president of design services for the Tour.
American Chris Couch, who chipped in from 50-feet to save par on the final hole and clinch his maiden Tour victory at English Turn last year, is back this week to defend his title.
