They set a record Thursday with a 58. Now, they are 17-under 127 at windy TPC Louisiana. Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak are one shot behind after a 66.
“Overall, we played very solid,” Velo said. He added that they used their strengths well. Besides missing a few short putts, they played almost perfectly. They talked about each shot and helped each other during the round.
On Saturday, teams will play better ball again. Sunday, they will switch shots.
Salinda stated, “Tomorrow, we simply have to continue playing the same way.” He thinks the alternating shot format is where they excel.
Velo and Salinda were one over and began the back nine. On the easier front nine, however, they made four birdies.
Novak had another strong week after losing in a playoff last week. He said short game saved them a lot today. They made seven birdies and had great putting.
After a 69, Shane Lowry and recent Masters champion Rory McIlroy are level for 16th at 11 under. They started strong but struggled late, dropping strokes on three holes.
Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, twins from Denmark, are third at 15 under after a 70. They shot a 59 on Thursday.
Chandler Phillips and Jacob Bridgeman are close behind at 14 under after a 68.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Zurich Classic of New Orleans work?
One of the PGA Tour’s signature team tournaments is the Zurich Classic. Over four rounds, 80 two-man teams play against one another. Fourball, also known as best ball, is contested for the first and third rounds, and Foursomes, or alternate shot, for the second and fourth rounds. The top 33 pairs and any ties advance to the weekend after 36 holes. The winning team earns FedExCup points and a share of the prize fund, but not world ranking points or an invitation to the Masters.”
2. Who won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans?
The Zurich Classic selects a fresh group of winners every year. The Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy team won the championship in 2024.
After four days, they had the highest score since they performed incredibly effectively as a team.
3. What kind of play is the Zurich Classic?
The Zurich Classic is a golf competition for teams. It makes use of two kinds of play:
• Four-ball (best ball): The best score is determined by each player playing their own ball.
• Foursomes (alternative shot): Players hit the same ball in turn in this alternate shot.
The team concept makes the tournament more exciting and different from other solo golf championships.
