A 65-year-old former PGA Tour winner is playing in this week’s Zurich Classic

nbc ^ | 4-23-24 | Brentley Romine

[FLNittany]

Russ Cochran will make his first PGA Tour start in over a decade at this week’s Zurich Classic in New Orleans.

The 65-year-old Cochran, who hasn’t played on Tour since tying for 41st at the 2013 Sony Open, is slated to team up with Eric Cole in the team event at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, just outside of New Orleans. Cochran is the father of Cole’s caddie, Reed Cochran.

A one-time Tour winner, Cochran plays sparingly even on the PGA Tour Champions these days. This year, he’s logged just three senior starts with a best finish of T-48 at the Chubb Classic last February. His last top-10 on the senior circuit came in 2018.

Cochran is playing as a past champion member, not a sponsor invite.

Cochran’s lone Tour victory came at the 1991 Centel Western Open. He hasn’t played a full season on Tour since 2004, when he posted just two top-25s in 25 starts. His last Tour top-10 was a year before that, a T-10 at the 2003 Southern Farm Bureau Classic.

He’s had more success on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five times, most recently at the 2013 SAS Championship. One of those wins was a major, the 2011 Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath; a 25-year-old Reed Cochran was on the bag for his dad for that victory.

Reed attended undergrad at the University of Florida before going to the University of Kentucky for law school. He previously caddied for Curtis Luck before taking on Cole’s bag.

Cole is currently ranked No. 41 in the world rankings, and though he owns just one top-10 this year, he’s posted six top-25 finishes.

[FLNittany]

I'll say this - you let Russ hit Eric's drives on alternate shot days, he's going to hit it close to the hole. And then Eric should make it.

I'll also say that if everyone from Paducah is like Russ - it must be a great place. Go get em' Russ.

Should be a fun week in N.O.