04/26/24 07:15:00
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04/26 19:13 CDT Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry remain tied for lead lead in the
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry remain tied for lead lead in the Zurich Classic of
New Orleans
By RICHARD MEEK
Associated Press
AVONDALE, La. (AP) --- Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry held onto a share of the
lead Friday in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, with the Irish duo shooting a
2-under 70 in alternate play in the PGA Tour's only team event.
The teams of Davis Thompson-Andrew Novak, Ryan Brehm-Mark Hubbard and Aaron
Rai-David Lipsky matched McIlroy and Lowry at 13-under 131 at TPC Louisiana.
They will play best ball Saturday and close with alternate shot Sunday.
Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, the 2022 winners, were a stroke back
with Callum Tarren-David Skinns, Nick Taylor-Adam Hadwin, Zach Johnson-Ryan
Palmer, Luke List-Henrik Norlander and Corey Connors-Taylor Pendrith.
McIlroy and Lowry, who opened Thursday with a best-ball 61, overcame Lowry's
mid-round putting woes to close with consecutive birdies. Lowry missed two
short birdie putts and a makeable par putt.
"I was just trying to keep him as positive as possible and remind him that I'm
here and I'm here to back him up in any way that I can," McIlroy said.
Lowry rebounded with a long par-saving putt on No. 4 and blasted out of a
greenside bunker to inches on the No. 8 after a mammoth drive by McIlroy.
"I missed a pretty short one on 18 and then another one on the second," Lowry
said. "I started to get a little bit into myself, but to roll that one in (on
the fourth hole) was nice, and to play the last few holes the way we did was
really nice too."
Rai and Lipsky held a one-shot lead heading into the 18th hole when Lipsky hit
a wild hook that landed out of play. Lipsky was able to make a bogey putt that
helped the team retain a share of the lead.
"It was nice for me to make that putt after I double-crossed that drive off the
tee," Lipsky said, "That was wasn't fun, I'll be honest."
Cantlay and Schauffele had the best round of the day with a 67. They were tied
for the lead heading into 18th but Cantlay's tee shot found the water, leading
to a bogey.
Record crowds turned out for the first two days, which tournament officials
attributed to the presence of McIlroy, the world's No. 2 ranked player who has
been enjoying the city's cuisine. Earlier in the week, he admitted he was
planning a quick visit to Bourbon Street in the city's iconic French Quarter,
but as of Friday that had not occurred.
"Maybe this afternoon could be the time," he joked after his morning round.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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