AVONDALE, La. — Another day of best ball, another day to make a bunch of birdies.
It was a morning to make a move at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and the World No. 1 took full advantage.
Scottie Scheffler and Ryan Palmer, the greatest recruiter on the planet, started with a par, but then went on to birdie four of their next six holes. After turning with a 4-under 32, the Texans put circles on the first four holes of their back-nine scorecard to get to 8 under for the day.
The pair played the next four holes at even par, then Scheffler was able to grab one more birdie at the par-5 18th.
Zurich Classic: Leaderboard | PGA Tour Live on ESPN+
Other teams to shoot 9 under were Callum Tarren/Davis Skinns, Scott Piercy/Sean O’Hair, Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson, and Adam Schenk/Tyler Duncan. All four fired 63s, although Tarren had to overcome an interaction with a gator on his way to the clubhouse. The four teams sit at 17 under for the week.
Also at 17 deep are Will Zalatoris and Davis Riley. During their third-round effort, Zalatoris made all eight of their birdies, including one at the last, on the way to an 8-under 64.
All this may be too late as the leaders are pulling away just halfway through their third rounds. The lead is 21 under as of 3:25 p.m. ET.
