PGA Tour event record smashed as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry chase history of their own
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry face competition from an unlikely source to defend their title at TPC Louisiana. The pair are once again competing as a team at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this weekend. GettyMcIlroy and Lowry began their Zurich Classic of New Orleans defence on Thursday[/caption] GettyIsaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo top the leaderboard after breaking the event’s four-ball record[/caption] Last year’s event saw the duo claim victory on McIlroy’s debut in the team tournament. However, they currently sit six shots off the lead after Thursday’s opening round in what was a record-breaking day. PGA Tour rookies Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo top the leaderboard after a 14-under 58. Their score is a new 18-hole event record in the the four-ball format, breaking the previous record of 59. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele set the previous best in their first round in 2019. Meanwhile, twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard had equalled that score themselves earlier on Friday. The Danish duo sit a shot behind Salinda and Velo heading into the foursomes on Friday. As for McIlroy and Lowry, they find themselves tied for 16th after an opening round 64, The Ryder Cup heroes are one of 11 teams to end Thursday on eight-under-par. It comes as they aim to become the first team to successfully defend their title since the Zurich Classic of New Orleans became a team event. GettyThe Hojgaard twins had equalled the event record earlier in the day[/caption] GettyMcIlroy and Lowry, who could become the first back-to-back winners, are tied for 16th[/caption] Since 2017, no team has won the tournament in back-to-back years. Cameron Smith is the only player to win the team event twice, doing so with Jonas Blixt in 2017 and again in 2021 alongside Marc Leishman. This weekend is also the first time McIlroy has played competitively since completing the career Grand Slam. The Masters champion skipped last week’s RBC Heritage, as he often does after the challenge of Augusta National. Lowry even doubted whether his friend would be up for heading to Louisiana as he watched him claim the green jacket. Speaking at their pre-tournament press conference, the Northern Irishman explained: “On the 15th hole at Augusta, I was done so I was watching the leaderboard. “I think he’d just made double on 13. I said to Darren [Reynolds, Lowry’s caddie]: ‘No matter what happens the next few holes, I think we’re going to do well to get him to New Orleans.’ “If things didn’t go his way, I don’t think he’d want to be here and I thought if things did go his way, he’d want to be somewhere else. “I’m happy he’s here. I’m not saying we’re going to be down on Bourbon Street every night but we’re here to enjoy it.” McIlroy and Lowry will tee off for their second round alongside Americans Kevin Chappell and Tom Hoge at 6.49pm GMT on Friday.
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry face competition from an unlikely source to defend their title at TPC Louisiana.
The pair are once again competing as a team at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this weekend.
Last year’s event saw the duo claim victory on McIlroy’s debut in the team tournament.
However, they currently sit six shots off the lead after Thursday’s opening round in what was a record-breaking day.
PGA Tour rookies Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo top the leaderboard after a 14-under 58.
Their score is a new 18-hole event record in the the four-ball format, breaking the previous record of 59.
Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele set the previous best in their first round in 2019.
Meanwhile, twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard had equalled that score themselves earlier on Friday.
The Danish duo sit a shot behind Salinda and Velo heading into the foursomes on Friday.
As for McIlroy and Lowry, they find themselves tied for 16th after an opening round 64,
The Ryder Cup heroes are one of 11 teams to end Thursday on eight-under-par.
It comes as they aim to become the first team to successfully defend their title since the Zurich Classic of New Orleans became a team event.
Since 2017, no team has won the tournament in back-to-back years.
Cameron Smith is the only player to win the team event twice, doing so with Jonas Blixt in 2017 and again in 2021 alongside Marc Leishman.
This weekend is also the first time McIlroy has played competitively since completing the career Grand Slam.
The Masters champion skipped last week’s RBC Heritage, as he often does after the challenge of Augusta National.
Lowry even doubted whether his friend would be up for heading to Louisiana as he watched him claim the green jacket.
Speaking at their pre-tournament press conference, the Northern Irishman explained: “On the 15th hole at Augusta, I was done so I was watching the leaderboard.
“I think he’d just made double on 13. I said to Darren [Reynolds, Lowry’s caddie]: ‘No matter what happens the next few holes, I think we’re going to do well to get him to New Orleans.’
“If things didn’t go his way, I don’t think he’d want to be here and I thought if things did go his way, he’d want to be somewhere else.
“I’m happy he’s here. I’m not saying we’re going to be down on Bourbon Street every night but we’re here to enjoy it.”
McIlroy and Lowry will tee off for their second round alongside Americans Kevin Chappell and Tom Hoge at 6.49pm GMT on Friday.
