The TPC Louisiana, a course designed by Pete Dye in Avondale, hosts from this Thursday the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the famous PGA Tour pairs tournament where all eyes were on Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman, after the information linking him to LIV Golf was diluted, seems ready to embark on the return journey to the Council of the circuit he left eight months ago. But first, he seeks what would be no less than his 25th title on the American tour.
Teaming up with his compatriot Shane Lowry (-11), the Northern Irishmen have completed an exceptional first round, which could have been even better had they been a little more precise with the putter in the second nine, to position themselves as co-leaders, with 61 strokes. Six birdies in their first nine holes today, playing in fourballs mode, and five in the second half of the field have allowed them to command the table alongside Brehm and Hubbard (-11), Kohles and Kizzire (-11) and Rai and Lipsky (-11), on a very peaceful day in Louisiana, with sun, a receptive field and hardly any wind
For Rory, this debut in the PGA Tour pairs tournament represents his fourth consecutive week competing, after a third place in the Valero Texas Open, a tied 22nd in the Masters and a tied 33rd in the RBC Heritage. Before Augusta he already hinted that the series of several consecutive events were the ones that, in his opinion, allowed him to offer his best version and fight for victories. Something he hopes to be able to do this weekend.
Making his @Zurich_Classic debut, @McIlroyRory birdies on the first! 👏 pic.twitter.com/l1ELjjtgYk
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 25, 2024
“In these types of tournaments you know you have to have a good start and fortunately, that was the case. We were four under par in four holes and from there we already got a momentum to maintain. We had both balls in play with two birdie opportunities on each hole. If you get that, two balls in the street from the tee and two balls on the green, this format will suit you well”, said McIlroy. Tomorrow things get complicated and will be played with a single ball per pair, with alternate strokes.
Other favourites, such as the pairs formed by Theegala and Zalatoris (-7) or by Cantlay and Schauffele (-7), have also left good feelings in this tournament start, although they have not been able to maintain the very high production of birdies from the first classified and, with their 65 today, will have to seek the comeback from this Friday. Just like Morikawa and Kitayama (-6), or the Spaniard Jorge Campillo, who plays with Vincent Norrman (-6) and are below the 40th position tied after a round of 66 strokes, with seven birdies and one bogey.
