Zurich Classic - Second Round Highlights

Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are currently six shots behind the leaders at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Despite a strong start, the Irish duo experienced setbacks in the latter part of their round, finishing with three bogeys.

Round Overview

• Leaders: Kevin Velo and Isaiah Salinda continue to lead after scoring a 69.
• Chasing Pack: Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak are one shot behind, followed closely by Danish twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard.

McIlroy and Lowry's Performance

After a promising start where they were six under through 12 holes, McIlroy and Lowry struggled to maintain momentum, particularly on the final two holes. McIlroy commented on the round, noting, "We were cruising but a couple of loose shots cost us."

Upcoming Rounds

The tournament will switch to the fourball format on Saturday, where players will aim to maximize birdies. McIlroy emphasized the need for patience, stating, "In fourball, you just have to try to make as many birdies as you can."

Leaderboard Snapshot

• Top 5: Velo & Salinda (-17), Griffin & Novak (-16), Hojgaard & Hojgaard (-15), Bridgeman & Phillips (-14), Skinns & Taylor (-13).

Conclusion

As the Zurich Classic progresses, all eyes will be on whether McIlroy and Lowry can close the gap in the more aggressive fourball format. The competition remains tight, with several teams within striking distance of the lead.