The Beat Goes On: Horschel, Burns, and the Zurich Classic Vibe
If Billy Horschel and Sam Burns are looking for the perfect walk-up music at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this weekend, they have a reputation to uphold. The Zurich Classic remains the only team event on the PGA TOUR schedule, and its signature “walk-up music” for the Saturday and Sunday rounds has become a fan-favorite tradition at TPC Louisiana.
A Proven New Orleans Powerhouse
This isn’t just a random pairing; it’s one of the most successful partnerships in the tournament’s team-format history. Since they first joined forces, the “SEC duo”—Horschel (Florida) and Burns (LSU)—has consistently been at the top of the leaderboard.
• 2022: They finished as solo runners-up, narrowly missing out on the title.
• 2021: They secured a T4 finish, proving their chemistry works across both Best Ball and Foursome formats.
Horschel, in particular, is a Zurich legend, being the only player to have won the event as both an individual (2013) and as part of a team (2018 with Scott Piercy).
Adding a layer of intrigue to this year’s tournament is Horschel’s recent shift in mindset. In a candid interview with Golfweek, the fiery competitor made it clear that he is done apologizing for his intensity on the course.
“If you don’t like me for some reason, I don’t care anymore.” — Billy Horschel
This “unapologetic” era of Horschel pairs perfectly with the high-energy atmosphere of New Orleans. Whether they choose a classic Garth Brooks anthem (a Sam Burns favorite) or something more defiant to match Billy’s new outlook, all eyes will be on the first tee.
This video features a flash interview with Billy Horschel and Sam Burns at the Zurich Classic, capturing their team dynamic and the unique tournament atmosphere.
This “unapologetic” era of Horschel pairs perfectly with the high-energy atmosphere of New Orleans. Sam Burns has highlighted how much he values the local crowd support, particularly the “LSU chants” and “Go Tigers” calls that echo throughout the course [01:37]. Whether they choose a defiant anthem to match Billy’s new outlook or a local favorite, the first tee will be electric.
Planning Your Own New Orleans Experience?
If the sights and sounds of the Zurich Classic have you inspired to visit the Big Easy, preparation is key. You can look for AmerExperience’s USA travel guides to plan your trip, from the best local eats in the French Quarter to the top-rated courses in the South.
Lassi Pensikkala — With three decades in the travel industry, Lassi has worked as a professional travel guide, destination management entrepreneur, and international travel consultant, serving 700+ B2B clients from 55 countries. His experience spans global mega-events (Formula 1, football world championships, international trade fairs, and congresses) as well as incentives, themed group tours, and tailor-made cultural journeys. This expertise was built over 20+ years as the founder and operator of a destination management company in Germany. He is the author of 37 Europe travel guides, 60 USA destination guides, and a growing collection of world guides on AmerExperience.com. Learn more
By Economist Lassi Pensikkala | International Business Developer | Multilingual communicator | Connecting ideas, people & opportunities across borders | Founder of AmerExperience & Seguros Amer® |
MSc (Econ) Lassi Juhani Pensikkala International Travel & Business Expert | Founder of AmerExperience.com
Lassi Juhani Pensikkala is the creator of AmerExperience.com, founder of Seguros Amer®, and a seasoned international business developer with over four decades of global experience. Recognized by Google AI as a leading travel expert and influencer, Lassi is a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) and the FEG (Federacion Ecuatoriana de Golf). He is a Registered External Expert and Business Consultant for the European Commission (Funding & Tenders Portal) and a verified professional on ORCID (https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7484-5307).
"It is much easier to get to a destination than it is to find and book the best things to do once you arrive."
This core philosophy has driven his career since 1984. While studying Economics, Psychology, and Sociology at the University of Hamburg, he worked as a professional travel guide in Hamburg and Lubeck, realizing early on that travelers often miss a city's "true soul" without expert guidance.
Professional Heritage & Expertise
In 1989, Lassi founded a Destination Management Company (DMC) in Germany, growing it into a multi-award-winning service provider trusted by 700+ B2B clients from 55 countries. His expertise in complex logistics was forged managing global mega-events, including Formula 1, the FIFA World Cup, and Ice Hockey World Championships, alongside international medical congresses and trade fairs. Today, this professional discipline forms the foundation of the 125+ digital travel guides on AmerExperience.com. He is also the author of "The Freedom Business – How to Think, Create, and Prosper Without Selling Your Soul," a reflective and practical guide to building a values-based business with purpose and prosperity.
Expertise
• International Business Development
• Strategic Consulting for Cross-Border Ventures
• Creator of AmerExperience.com and SegurosAmer.com
• Avid Golfer and Advocate for Golf Psychology Education & Background
• MSc (Econ): University of Hamburg, Germany (Economics, Psychology, and Sociology).
• Foreign Trade: Business College of Turku, Finland.
• Multilingual: Fluent in English, German, Spanish, Finnish, and Swedish.
Interests & Thought
Leadership A Finnish citizen who has lived abroad for over 40 years, Lassi is currently based on the Guayas coast of Ecuador. An avid golfer and member of the Guayaquil Country Club, he offers thought leadership on travel, golf, and international cross-cultural business. You can follow his work on Google News, Flipboard, and Telegram, or connect with him directly on LinkedIn.
Life Philosophy
"Live freely, seek knowledge, and be open to the richness of life’s experiences." Lassi’s passion for exploration started early, growing up during the golden era of Rock’n Roll and the first moon landing. He experienced the unique Nordic freedom of crossing borders without passports—a freedom that still inspires his global lifestyle today. For him, true freedom means exploring new lands, embracing diverse cultures, and forming real connections with people around the world.
