PGA Tour rookies Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo maintained their lead at the Zurich Classic, shooting a 3-under 69 in Friday’s alternate-shot format to reach 17-under 127 at TPC Louisiana. The duo, who set a tournament record with their opening-round 58 in better ball, now lead Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin by a single stroke.
“Overall, really solid,” Velo said about their second round in breezy conditions. “I think we played really to our strengths today. We both missed a couple short ones that kind of led to our bogeys, but besides that, we played pretty flawless. We feed off each other really easily, and I know how to club off him, and we’re talking through shots out there.”
Starting on the back nine, Salinda and Velo struggled early, making the turn at 1 over. But they rallied with four birdies on the front nine to maintain their advantage.
Salinda seems confident about their chances heading into the weekend. “Tomorrow, we just keep playing how we’re playing, set ourselves up for Sunday and give ourselves a shot,” he said. “I think alternate shot is kind of our strength.”
The tournament format returns to better ball for Saturday’s third round before concluding with alternate shot on Sunday.
Novak and Griffin posted a solid 66 to stay within striking distance at 16 under. Novak is riding a hot streak after his playoff loss to Justin Thomas at last week’s RBC Heritage.
“There was really only one hole out there I felt like we were in trouble at any point really,” Novak said. “Our short games kind of take care of a lot of missteps. But a lot of good putting, and seven birdies today. That’s really strong for alternate shot.”
Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry find themselves six shots back at 11 under after posting a 69. It’s McIlroy’s first start since winning the Masters, and the Irish duo showed flashes of brilliance with an eagle at the par-5 second. They played the first 12 holes in 6 under but stumbled down the stretch, going 3 over on their final six holes with bogeys at 13, 17, and 18.
Danish identical twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard sit in third place at 15 under after following their opening 59 with a solid 70. Jacob Bridgeman and Chandler Phillips round out the top four at 14 under after posting a 68.
