McIlroy keeps Lowry positive on way to four-way tie for lead at Zurich Classic through two rounds

AVONDALE, La. – The alternate shot format is the ultimate test in team golf, and giving your partner positive reinforcement can make the difference.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry started on the TPC Louisiana’s back nine, with Lowry showing frustration after missing makeable putts and putts that didn’t go in. The team comprised of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland nationals, best of friends and Ryder Cup teammates, approached the situation with McIlroy offering insights on his approach to supporting his partner.

“I was just trying to keep him as positive as possible and remind him that I’m here and ready to back him up in any way that I can. So, yeah, just trying to keep him positive,” McIlroy explained.

When the No. 2 ranked golfer in the world and the No. 1 driver on the PGA Tour tells you he has your back, it is much easier to look forward, and that’s exactly what they did.

“I think there’s a bit of a lesson there for myself to kind of keep going and just keep plugging away,” said Lowry. “We did that today, and I’m pretty happy with how we finished.”

Their two-under-par 70 in the Alternate Shot format combined with their previous Best Ball score of 11 under par has them tied for the lead at 13 under par with David Thompson and Andrew Novak, Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard, Aaron Rai and David Lipsky.

In the afternoon, the wind picked up on the 7,425-yard Pete Dye layout, and in these challenging conditions, the day nearly belonged to the 2022 Zurich Champions, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. The tandem came to the par-five 18th six-under par for the day with the opportunity to share or take the lead with a birdie or eagle. Cantlay’s aggressive line off the tee found the water so they ended up having to one-putt for bogey to finish with a 67, still the best score of the day.

Five other teams joined Cantlay and Schauffele at 12-under par – Luke List and Henrik Norlander, Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith, Callum Tarren and David Skinns, Taylor and Adam Hadwin and Zach Johnson and Ryan Palmer.

Mark Hubbard and partner Ryan Breh, had the lead before Hubbard bogeyed the par-three ninth, their last hole of the day,

“Alternate Shot is super stressful, so I’m smiling now, but it was a long day,” noted Hubbard.

Nine teams made the cut at 8-under par, including defending champions Davis Riley and Nick Hardy.

The field returns Saturday to the friendlier Best Ball format, and the lower scores will be abundant. Come Sunday, the Alternate Shot format returns along with a little stress for all.