McIlroy and Lowry five off lead at Zurich Classic

Third-round leaderboard for Zurich Classic

B Griffin & A Novak (US), 24 J Knapp & Capan III (US), 25 N Hojgaard & R Hojgaard (Den), I Salinda & K Velo (US), 24 J Knapp & Capan III (US), 24 J Knapp & Capan III (Jpn), 23

Other notable names include -22 R. McIlroy & S. Lowry (NI/Ire), -20 A. Rai & S. Theegala (US), D. Skinns & B. Taylor (Eng), -15 R. MacIntyre & T. Detry (Sco/Bel).

Prior to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans’ final round, defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were five shots clear of each other.

McIlroy eagled the final hole after a 90-minute delay due to lightning, carding a betterball of 61.

Before the alternate-shot final round, Americans Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin also shot 61 to take a three-stroke lead.

A share of second place is held by American duo Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III (60), and Ryo Hisatsune and Takumi Kanaya and Ryo Hisatsune and Takumi Kanaya from Japan (61).

Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, along with overnight leaders Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo (64), are shotguns from the finish line.

Lowry and McIlroy, who is playing for the first time since winning the Masters, started the third round six shots off the pace but managed six birdies on the par-five seventh, with Lowry bagging the par-five seventh.

On the back nine, four birdies followed before the par-three par 17th, which was a bogey. McIlroy sunk a 30-foot eagle putt on the final turn after the delay, which was brought on by lightning.

The putt was the last thing on my mind as a result of the delay, McIlroy said, “And once I got back out there, I kind of concentrated on it and made sure I did what I needed to do, and it was just a bonus for it to go in.”

“The best way for us to get the most out of ourselves is to keep having fun out there,” said one participant.

“It was pretty happy that Rory went out and eagled the last,” Lowry said.