Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry made an impressive start at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, shooting an 11-under 61 in the first round to share the lead with three other teams. The Irish duo showcased their skills on the course at TPC of Louisiana, matching the performance of Ryan Brehm-Mark Hubbard, Ben Kohles-Patton Kizzire, and Aaron Rai-David Lipsky.
McIlroy and Lowry's stellar round included a strong start with birdies on their first four holes, setting the tone for the day. Lowry highlighted the importance of their fast start and expressed satisfaction with their overall performance, emphasizing their teamwork and contribution to each other's game.
Brehm and Hubbard also had a solid start with four opening birdies and continued their strong play throughout the round. The teams were tied at the top of the leaderboard after an exciting day of fourball play, with multiple teams posting impressive scores.
The oldest player in the field, Russ Cochran, made a notable return to the PGA Tour after several years, teaming up with Eric Cole for a respectable 69 in the first round. Cole even had a memorable hole-in-one on the 14th hole, adding to the excitement of the day.
Looking ahead, the teams will face the challenge of alternative shot format on Friday, a tougher but enjoyable format according to Lowry. Despite the temptation of attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, McIlroy and Lowry remained focused on their early tee time on Friday, aiming to maintain their strong position on the leaderboard.
As the tournament progresses, McIlroy humorously expressed his desire for a late tee time on Saturday, indicating his hopes of being in contention for the title. With a competitive field and exciting performances on the first day, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans promises more thrilling golf action in the days to come.
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