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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- At a press conference at TPC Louisiana, PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem announced that Zurich Financial Services will continue to sponsor the Zurich Classic of New Orleans through 2010.

Zurich is exercising a clause in its existing contract to extend for two additional years.

"We are delighted that Zurich has made the decision to extend its sponsorship another two years," Finchem said. "This commitment is extremely important for the future success of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and helps further the economic impact and positive effect the tournament has on the entire region through the charitable outreach of the Fore!Kids Foundation.

"The PGA TOUR has a long history of tournament golf in New Orleans. We look forward to building upon this history through our great partnership with Fore!Kids and Zurich Financial Services."

"Zurich is very pleased to extend our commitment to the PGA TOUR and especially to the city and people of New Orleans," said James J. Schiro, CEO of Zurich Financial Services. "For Zurich, the most important aspect of sponsoring the Zurich Classic of New Orleans is that together with the Fore!Kids Foundation and the PGA TOUR we have raised $5.2 million over the last three years for the more than 40 charities Fore!Kids serves. That is something in which we, as a company, take great pride."

Zurich's commitment to the New Orleans PGA TOUR event ensures that more than 200,000 local children represented by the charities served by the Fore!Kids Foundation will have brighter futures ahead. The Fore!Kids Foundation, through the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and other golf-related events, raises funds to provide health care, education and hope for children in need.

"On behalf of the Fore!Kids Foundation and the thousands of area children who will continue to benefit from Zurich's generosity, I say thank you," said Tommy Fonseca, President of the Fore!Kids Foundation. "Zurich is an amazing partner and we are so thankful for its strong dedication to New Orleans."

Next year will mark the 50th year of consecutive play of a PGA TOUR event in New Orleans. Since 1958 (the first year in which the tournament was played annually in New Orleans), the purse has risen from $20,000 to $6.1 million. Past winners include such notables as Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Davis Love III, David Toms and Vijay Singh.