AVONDALE, La. — Any follow up to a record-breaking 59 may look like a disappointment, but in a difficult format and tough conditions, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay fought for a second-round 68 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
“I think we just wanted to hit a bunch of quality golf shots, and we did that today,” Cantlay said after their round. “We really fought hard and made a bunch of those mid-range putts, especially in the middle of the round, and that kind of kept the momentum going.”
After opening with three birdies in their first four holes, the pair made six straight pars before writing another circle on the card at the par-5 2nd. They closed out their 4-under effort with six pars and a birdie.
“Alternate shot is an opportunity to do some cool things if you’re making a lot of birdies,” Schauffele said, “but for the most part you’re trying to leave your partner in a good spot to make an easy par.”
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They did just that, limiting the mistakes to a lone bogey on the par-4 12th, their third hole of the day.
“I felt like we just have had good vibes all week and we’ve been playing really solid golf. Same game plan for the weekend,” said Cantlay.
The best-buddy tandem enters the weekend with a one-stroke lead.
One of the pairs just a shot back is David Lipsky and Aaron Rai. Lipsky has had an interesting week — it started with a car accident and now he’s in a great spot to earn his first PGA Tour win.
“This is such a fun week for us. You play with a friend, different format, and I think we’re just enjoying it,” Lipsky said. “Wherever Doc and Sam finish, I know we’re one back of Xander and Pat, but I think we’re just having fun out there. We’re both playing pretty well right now, and I’m looking forward to what we can do this weekend.”
Rai is also searching for his first win on Tour.
Doc Redman and Sam Ryder are the other tandem that sits just one back. Like the Lipsky/Rai team, both players are searching for their first win.
Wyndham Clark/Cameron Tringale and Garrick Higgo/Branden Grace are at 15 under, while Jason Day/Jason Scrivener and Sam Burns/Billy Horschel are at 14 under.
Jay Haas and Bill Haas prepare to putt on the ninth green during the first round of the 2022 Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The feel-good story of the week goes to the Haas team, as Jay became the oldest player in history to make the cut at a PGA Tour event (68). He had to do it in dramatic fashion, too, needing to drain a four-and-a-half footer for par at the last.
“That was probably as nervous as I’ve ever been over a putt of that length certainly. It sounds silly just to have a chance to make the cut,” he said.
He is just one start away from 800 on the PGA Tour.
The top 33 teams and ties made the cut to play the weekend. Saturday’s round will be Four-balls with Sunday’s final round will be Foursomes.