Four pairs at the top of the Zurich Classic

There were four teams in the lead after the first round of the Zurich Classic played in “four balls”, there are as many after the second played on Friday in “foursome”, except that they are not exactly the same. If the duo Kohles-Kizzire (-11) left the lead, the pair composed of Davis Thompson and Andrew Novak (69) joined the pairs of McIlroy-Lowry, Rai-Lipsky and Brehm-Hubbard who had already distinguished themselves the day before.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are obviously among the attractions of the week. And it was rather the Irishman, thanks to his approaches, who carried the Northern Irishman on this second round (four birdies, two bogeys). If the tournament is very far from having delivered its verdict (18 par in two shots), the spectacle of this second round was also provided by Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (-12), winners here in 2022, and who signed the best card of the day (67).

Patrick Cantlay welcomed this: “We put ourselves in the position we wanted to attack at the weekend. » His alter ego supported: “We had to react after the first day to get back on track. Our Veterans Association is doing well, but I can’t tell you exactly why! »

Mixed fortunes on the French side. Tied with Sam Stevens, Paul Barjon is currently in 19th place (-10 after 63 and 71), their Friday having been marked by a double bogey on 9 (par 3). In a duo with Chad Ramey, Martin Trainer (26th) trails by one stroke (63, 69) after a royal finish to the second round (birdies on 15, 16, 18). However, the return was fatal for Victor Perez (4 bogeys), associated with Daniel Berger, who missed the cut by one point (41st, -7). Too bad for Tarbais, author of a magical putt on 14 from off the green for birdie.

A seemingly friendly tournament, the Zurich Classic still promises some serious carrots in addition to the nice check of more than $1.2 million to split and the 400 FedEx points: 2-year exemption on the PGA Tour, the opportunity to play the PGA Championship, the season three latest signature events and the players of 2025! Many players will be happy to end the weekend with such a jackpot. Martin Trainer and Paul Barjon are among them.