The opening round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana is in the books, and it was a doozy.
Matt Fitzpatrick and his brother Alex got off to a hot start, signing for a best-ball 10-under 62 and were tied for the clubhouse lead when they walked off the golf course.
The unlikely pairing of Keith Mitchell and Sungjae Im, a story you have to read to believe, was another team that crossed the double-digit threshold and finished the day 10 under alongside David Lipsky/Aaron Rai and Henrik Norlander/Luke List.
However, after 18 holes, Beau Hossler/Wyndham Clark and Brandon Matthews/Sean O’Hair lead at 11 under.
If you missed any of Thursday’s action, no worries, have you covered. Here are several takeaways from the first round of the Zurich Classic.
Zurich: Leaderboard | Friday tee times | Photos
Team Fitzpatrick feeling it on Day 1
We’d love to say the Fitzpatrick boys ham and egged it well on Thursday, but they hate that phrase.
“Ham and egg is so American, and we’re from England,” Matt said.
“We dovetailed,” Alex added.
So, we’ll go with that.
The brothers dovetailed it well during the opening four-ball session, firing a 10-under 62. Older brother Matt held the team steady on their front nine — the back nine of TPC Louisiana — making three birdies and in total the Fitzpatricks made the turn with a 4-under 32.
On the back, Alex turned it on. He made four birdies down the closing stretch before Matt added one at No. 8 — their 17th of the day.
“I didn’t play very well (on the front), so it was nice for him to make a few putts and give us a few birdies while I was scrambling around somewhere,” Alex said. “And then yeah, I played nicely on the back nine and I managed to roll in some birdies, which was great, and we kept it together towards the end and finished with a nice score.”
With the format changing to foursomes on Friday, Matt says their strategy has to change.
“Yeah, it’s definitely different,” he said. “For me, foursomes, I think you’re definitely playing less aggressive. You’re plotting your way around more, fairways and greens, and just keeping the bogeys off the card is what’s going to be important tomorrow, I think if we can do that, maybe nick a few, then it’ll be a good day.”
The budding bromance of Keith Mitchell and Sungjae Im
Mitchell knew how good Im was going to be back in 2019 when the two were paired together at the Honda Classic — an event Mitchell would go on to win.
Mitchell asked Im if he wanted to team up for the Zurich Classic, but Im already had a dance partner. Due to COVID-19 and each player having different teammates, Mitchell and Im were unable to make the New Orleans stop work until the 2023 edition.
Now they’re having a great time.
The most wholesome moment from the first round came after Team Mitchell / Im signed their scorecard and Mitchell told the media how their first 18 together went.
This is really, really great.
Sungjae Im, 𝙗𝙞𝙜 @UGAAthletics guy 😆@K_M_Mitchell | @Zurich_Classic pic.twitter.com/6JDknbDphw
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 20, 2023
Our Adam Schupak wrote a full story on Mitchell, Kim and their unlikely story. You can read it here.
Defending champs struggle early, then turn on the jets
Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay both entered the week in great form, so it was a surprise to see them play their first six holes Thursday 1 over after putting a square on the card at the par-4 sixth.
The dropped shot must have lit a fire, because the defending champs turned it on.
Birdies on Nos. 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 had them at 5 under for the day through 13 holes.
However, they’d play their last five holes even thanks to two birdies on Nos. 16 and 18 but bogeys at Nos. 15 and 17.
Schauffele and Cantlay opened their defense with a 5-under 67.
Shot of the Day
Chad Ramey holes out from 132 yards for a big bird.
What a shot!@ChadRamey2 holes out for eagle from 132 yards @Zurich_Classic. pic.twitter.com/lXghViTZGc
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 20, 2023
Friday's weather forecast, format
According to Windy.com, the temperature is expected to reach 75 degrees. Winds are projected to stay below 10 MPH but gusts up to 17 MPH are possible. There’s a chance of rain for most of the afternoon.
Due to the forecast, tee times have been moved up.
Due to forecasted inclement weather Friday, the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans will begin at 7 a.m. CT (regularly scheduled for 8:20 a.m.). All starting times are moved forward 1 hour and 20 minutes.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 20, 2023
Format: Foursomes (alternate shot)
