Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer turned in a 14-under-par 58 on the first day of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, earning a one-shot lead at the PGA Tour’s only team event at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La.
Smalley’s birdie-eagle-birdie start to the round ignited the pair, and Springer closed the day strong, responsible for birdies at Nos. 15-18. They weren’t the only team to go low, as Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat are on their tails following a 13-under 59.
Seventy-four teams entered the unique event, where teams of two play four-ball (best ball) in the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and fourth rounds. The top 33 teams and ties will make the cut after 36 holes.
Don Donatello, Smalley’s caddie, looped for Springer several years ago. The two players, who are seeking their first win on the PGA Tour, thought it would be an ideal pairing.
“They’re still really good friends,” Smalley said about Donatello and Springer. “We knew we would have a good time out there, and we did. I think Hayden and I were the same year in college. Both graduated around the same area. Played some amateur golf together. It’s nice to link up with him. He’s a great teammate.”
Springer concurred.
“For me it’s kind of nice to have somebody out there with you to kind of feed off of each other. You kind of pick each other up where you can,” he said. “You know, even when Alex goes and makes a birdie, it feels like I made a birdie. It kind of keeps you going in that way as well, which is nice.”
Sam Stevens/Zach Bauchou, Nick Dunlap/Gordon Sargent and Eric Cole/Hank Lebioda are tied for third at 12 under. Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge were among a large group tied at 61. Defending champions Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin carded a 7-under 65.
Meanwhile, the first-time pairing of Brooks Koepka and Irishman Shane Lowry settled for a 6-under 66, tied for 50th place.
Thompson and Eckroat pulled off a 10-under-par run in a span of nine holes. Eckroat eagled the par-5 seventh, and the duo combined to birdie each of the next eight.
Despite the tougher format on Friday, Eckroat is supremely confident about the duo’s outlook.
“It’s a lot harder to make birdies in alternate shot, but I feel like both of our games are in really good spots, both in our irons, and we’re both driving it well,” Eckroat said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we went out and had a good day tomorrow as well.”
–Field Level Media
