Good friends Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are tied first after the opening round of the PGA Tour's only team event.
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The former Ryder Cup teammates shot an 11-under 61 in fourball play Thursday for a share of the lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The Irish duo are joined at the top of the leaderboard by the teams of Ryan Brehm-Mark Hubbard, Ben Kohles-Patton Kizzire and Aaron Rai-David Lipsky.
Davis Thompson-Andrew Novak, Thomas Detry-Robert MacIntyre and Cameron Champ-M.J. Daffue shot 62. Twenty teams were 9 under or better on a crowded leaderboard at TPC of Louisiana.
McIlroy's introduction to New Orleans included a sampling of crab beignets from popular restaurant Le Petit Grocery on Wednesday night, a meal he shared with Lowry. On Thursday, they feasted on the Pete Dye layout, making birdies on their first four holes.
"I've had a wonderful time so far," McIlroy said. "I've only been here a couple of days but we're staying downtown. It's a cool city, great food scene."
McIlroy had the team's first three birdies, although on the par-5 second Lowry was inches away but watched as his teammate knocked in a putt of about 4 feet. After a pair of pedestrian pars, they birdied four of the next six holes before closing out with a birdie on the par-5 18th to gain a share of the lead.
"We both played nice golf," Lowry said, emphasising the importance getting off to a fast start. "We both made some nice birdies and contributed to the team, and I think we're very happy with the day."
Brehm and Hubbard mirrored McIlroy and Lowry with four opening birdies. The team made the turn in 6-under par 30 and bookended birdies on the 10th and 11th and 17th and 18th holes on the back nine.
"Just like usual, we ham-and-egged it," Brehm said. "I don't think either of us were feeling amazing about our games coming into the day, but we just fed off each other really well. "I was doing a lot of spectating today."
On Friday, it be alternative-shot play.
"Looking forward to getting out in foursomes tomorrow," Lowry said. "It's a format that's tougher, but it is an enjoyable format.
McIlroy was non-committal Thursday when asked if he and Lowry would attend the popular New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Friday afternoon. The duo have an 8.53 am. tee time on Friday.
"Who's playing tomorrow night, do you know?" McIlroy asked his good friend.
"No, I'm not going out anywhere," Lowry said with a laugh. "I'm staying out of trouble."
Jazz Fest notwithstanding, McIlroy joked he hopes the pairing has a late tee time Saturday, meaning they will be close to the lead.
Australian Harrison Endycott and partner Erik Barnes are at five under after making 67.
Australian Associated Press
