This week the Zurich Classic gets underway in New Orleans and history will be made as for the first time at a PGA tour event, each two-man team will be allowed to choose their walk-up music as they head up to the first tee at TPC Louisiano.
The debate on whether to choose a motivational or funny song was one that every duo had to deal with, with some pairs going for a rock song whilst others will bring a bit of humour to the first tee.
Zach Johnson and Jonathan Byrd had considered Shakira’s ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ and ‘Surfin Bird’ by the Trashmen but eventually settled on AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’. They could be a late change however as Johnson added: “We might change our song.”
If Johnson and Byrd keep “Thunderstruck,” they won’t be the only ones. The team of Shawn Stefani-John Rollins picked it, too. “It’s the first song on my phone,” Stefani told the PGA tour. “Any time I want to get pumped up, that’s the song I put on.”
The funniest pick from the pairs probably comes from Harold Varner and Rober Garringus whose choice of ‘Ebony and Ivory’ will raise a few smiles as they tee off. Rock bands have provided much of the inspiration for song choices as Van Halen was named for two picks.
Sam Saunders and Matt Every went with “Running with the Devil” while Tom Hoge and J.J. Henry went with “Right Now.”
Metallica also got a few nods with songs like “For Whom The Bell Tolls” and “ Enter Sandman” being picked up by several pairings. Irish pairing Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry chose, very patriotically, U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’ whilst the Korean duo of K.J Choi and Charlie Wi have followed a similar route and chosen ‘Gangham Style’ by Psy.
The Aussies, Greg Chalmers and Cameron Percy also chose a song to represent their country, eventually plucking for ‘Down Under’ by Men at Work. The other Australian pairing Jason Day and Ryan Ruffels also went with that same song!
Listen to the full playlist chosen by the players below.
