Blake Davis
The 2024 Zurich Classic got tougher on Friday after relatively fluid play in the first round. Instead of the best ball format where teams get the better of both their players’ scores on each hole, the second round was an alternate shot where teammates often left their partners in terrible positions.
No one, it seemed, was immune. Matt Fitzpatrick missed a shockingly short putt that his brother, Alex, had to clean up. Will Zalatoris hit a shot from the woods into a thick bed of pine straw that Sahith Theegala had to come in and try to sort out.
Even co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry had their moments.
“I missed one really short on 18 and another on second,” Lowry said. “I started to dig a little deeper into myself, but to include this [at the fourth hole for par] It was good, and playing the last few holes the way we did was really good too.
“I think it’s a lesson for me to keep going and keep trying and keep working. We did that today and I’m really happy with how we finished.”
The way they finished was birdie-birdie-par to shoot a 2-under 70 and hold the lead after 36 holes of play at 13 under.
However, it’s a crowded leaderboard, which should make for some fun days of play this weekend at the Zurich Classic. Let’s take a closer look at round two and what to expect on Saturday and Sunday.
The leaders
T1. Davis Thompson and Andrew Novak (-13)
T1. Aaron Rai and David Lipsky (-13)
T1. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry (-13)
T1. Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard (-13)
Obviously, McIlroy and Lowry are the stars of this group, especially after shooting 61 to open the game, as they also co-led after Day 1. Given their firepower, they could follow up with something similar in the second-best ball of the season. Sunday event. . They’re an endearing team, easy to root for, but they also work well together, as McIlroy highlighted Friday after turning 70.
“Like Shane said, after that it’s easy to get hard on yourself,” he explained. “I was just trying to keep him as positive as possible and just remind him that I’m here and I’m here to support him in any way I can.
Not every team in this field is as close-knit as McIlroy and Lowry, and while that can sometimes work against two players, in this case, these two playing together for the first time in this event, it appears to be working in their favor. .
Other contenders
T5. Callum Tarren and David Skinns (-12)
T5. Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin (-12)
T5. Zach Johnson and Ryan Palmer (-12)
T5. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (-12)
Cantlay and Schauffele made a late run with this 13-under lead, but fumbled the last par 5 and tied for fifth. Still, they shot 67 at alternate pitching and will be scary if they are close to the lead after best ball on Saturday. For some reason – maybe because they are the top 10 players in the world, maybe because they play together all the time, or maybe because they have a lot of experience in this format – they were among the best alternative shooting teams at this event. ever and holds the record in this format in 63.
There is no one I would trust more on Sunday.
Rick Gehman and Kyle Porter recap Friday’s foursomes at the 2024 Zurich Classic. Follow and listen to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts It is Spotify.
Updated Zurich Classic 2024 odds and picks
Odds via Sportsline Consensus
- Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry: 13/5
- Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele: 7/2
- Andrew Novak and Davis Thompson: 9-1
- Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin: 10-1
- Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith: 12-1
- Aaron Rai and David Lipsky: 14-1
- Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard: 16-1
I really like the Canadian duo of Taylor and Hadwin, who are at 12 under and just one back of the lead. However, there are currently 39 teams that are five away from the lead, which is an absurd number. The biggest problem for Taylor and Hadwin is that they have two Ryder Cup doubles to look forward to. Still, Taylor is one of the most underrated players in the world, and both guys can be devastating. If they can get their ham and eggs at the right time on Saturday, they can maintain their lead on Sunday.
