The 2024 Zurich Classic became more tense on Friday after some relatively free play in the first round. Instead of a best shot format, in which teams make the best of a player’s two points on each hole, Round 2 is an alternate shot format in which teammates often leave their teammates in unsuitable positions. Good.
It seems no one is immune. Matt Fitzpatrick missed a shocking short putt that forced his brother, Alex, to block. Will Zalatoris took a shot from the woods into a thick layer of pine straw that Sahith Theegala had to come in and try to clear.
Even the co-leaders, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, had their moments.
“I missed a pretty short stretch on the 18th and then another one on the second day,” Lowry said. “I started to care a little bit about myself, but to put that in [at the fourth hole for par] it was great, and playing the last holes the way we did was really fun too.
“I think it’s a lesson for myself to keep trying and keep pushing. We did that today and I’m pretty happy that we finished.”
The way they finished was birdie-birdie-par to post a 2-under 70 and maintain the lead after 36 holes played at 13 under.
Still, it’s a crowded leaderboard, which should make for an interesting few 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.
Leaders
T1. Davis Thompson & Andrew Novak (-13)
T1. Aaron Rai & David Lipsky (-13)
T1. Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry (-13)
T1. Ryan Brehm & Mark Hubbard (-13)
Clearly, McIlroy and Lowry are the leaders in this group, especially after shooting 61 to open as they also tied for the lead after Day 1. With their firepower, they could follow that with something similar in the second ball portion of the event on Sunday. They are a likable team, easy to cheer for but they also work well together as McIlroy pointed out on Friday after their 70th.
“Like Shane said, after all that, it’s easy to get hard on yourself,” he explains. “I just try 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. So yeah, just trying to keep him It’s positive.”
Not every team in the field is as tight-knit as McIlroy and Lowry, and while that can sometimes work with two players, in the event these two play together for the first time at the In this case, it seems to be working in their favor.
Other candidates
T5. Callum Tarren & David Skinns (-12)
T5. Nick Taylor & Adam Hadwin (-12)
T5. Zach Johnson & Ryan Palmer (-12)
T5. Patrick Cantlay & Xander Schauffele (-12)
Cantlay and Schauffele trailed at 13-under but birdied the final par-5 to tie for fifth. However, they shot a 67 on the day with alternating shots and it would be scary if they came close to the top after their best play on Saturday. For whatever reason — perhaps because they are the top 10 players in the world, perhaps because they always play together, or perhaps because they have so much experience in this format — they are in the number of the best alternate shooting teams at this event ever and holds the record in that format at 63.
There is no one I can trust more on Sundays.
Rick Gehman and Kyle Porter recap Friday’s quarterfinal match at the 2024 Zurich Classic. Watch and listen to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts And Spotify.
Odds and picks updated at Zurich Classic 2024
Odds via Sportsline consensus
- Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry: May 13
- Patrick Cantlay & Xander Schauffele: 7/2
- Andrew Novak & Davis Thompson: 9-1
- Nick Taylor & Adam Hadwin: 10-1
- Corey Conners & Taylor Pendrith: 12-1
- Aaron Rai & David Lipsky: 14-1
- Ryan Brehm & Mark Hubbard: 16-1
I really like the Canadian duo of Taylor and Hadwin, who are 12 years behind and just one point behind the leaders. However, there are currently 39 teams just five away from the top spot, which is a crazy number. The bigger problem for Taylor and Hadwin is that they have two Ryder Cup duos ahead of them. However, Taylor is still one of the more underrated players in the world and both of those guys can get burned. If they can indulge and hit the egg at the right time on Saturday, they could take the lead on Sunday.
