“Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry tied for the lead at Zurich Classic with three other pairings”

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have taken the Zurich Classic of New Orleans by storm, tying for the lead after the first round with an impressive 11-under 61. The Irish duo started strong with four consecutive birdies, showcasing their chemistry and skill on the course.

Joining them at the top of the leaderboard are the pairings of Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard, Ben Kohles and Patton Kizzire, and Aaron Rai and David Lipsky. England’s Rai and his American partner had a stellar round, carding 11 birdies without a single bogey.

McIlroy and Lowry’s partnership has proven to be a winning combination, with McIlroy revealing that he had specifically approached Lowry for this year’s tournament. Despite previous offers from other players, including Bubba Watson, McIlroy knew that teaming up with Lowry was the right choice.

The duo’s strong performance on the course was matched by the support they received from the crowds in New Orleans. Lowry expressed his confidence in their partnership, noting that their familiarity with each other’s game has been a key factor in their success.

Fans can catch all the action from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Friday’s second round live on Sky Sports Golf from 2.15pm. With the leaderboard tightly packed at the top, it promises to be an exciting day of golf as these top teams battle it out for the title.