Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have committed to return to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this spring and defend the 2024 title they won in the PGA Tour’s lone team event.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have committed to playing in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where they will look to defend the title they won in dramatic fashion last year

Rory McIlroy's latest PGA Tour tournament commitment speak to his priorities this season after declaring his intentions to cut down on the number of events he plays stateside

The PGA Tour has enjoyed a timely uplift in viewing figures so far this season, with Ludvig Aberg's sublime victory at the Genesis Invitational delivering big numbers for CBS

Rory McIlroy may be becoming a divisive figure in PGA Tour clubhouses. McIlroy, once the ultimate LIV Golf antagonist, was outspoken this week in letting golfers who fled the PGA Tour back on without punishment as the rival leagues seemingly move closer to a union.

The PGA Tour has been struggling with TV ratings since the LIV Golf breakaway in 2022, but the numbers are finally heading in the right direction after last week's Genesis Invitational