Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo (-17) remain at the top in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The pair that on Thursday signed the lowest round in the tournament’s history in the fourball format continued this Friday with a sensational score of 69 strokes, with five birdies and two bogeys. A serious matter in the alternate format.
Equally serious is the candidacy of the Hojgaard brothers for the Ryder Cup. Rasmus and Nicolai have delivered a card of 70 strokes in the foursome, the most challenging format that truly measures the degree of chemistry and complicity between two players. The Danes have demonstrated that they can be relied upon in both formats. They have taken a step forward for Bethpage, although there is still a long way to go to reach that point. They are at -15, just two strokes off the lead and with their chances of victory intact. It was a very serious round with only one bogey.
Between the Hojgaards and the leaders, the player in vogue on the PGA Tour has slipped in. Andrew Novak, partnering with Ben Griffin, is second with a total of -16. This is starting to become a very important matter. It has been many consecutive weeks playing golf at a very high level. In fifth position are the Japanese players Hisatsune and Kanaya and the English players Taylor and Skinns.
A total of 35 pairs have made the cut, and all truly have a chance to win the tournament. The cut was set at a demanding ten under par. Among the contenders to win, although they finished the foursome just in time with two final bogeys, are Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy (-11). We will see what the Irish, the defending champions, are capable of. Their chances of victory undoubtedly depend on shooting something around 60 in fourball this Saturday.
The best foursome rounds were by Novak and Griffin and the Canadians Taylor and Hadwin. Both shot 66 strokes. An excellent result. A pity, Mike Weir might think, that his compatriots did not play at this same level in the last Presidents Cup.
As you already know, the Spaniards Ángel Ayora and Alex del Rey missed the cut with a total of -7. They finished three strokes behind with a poor round of 75 strokes on Friday. They should have played under par.
