USA Today via Reuters
Apr 23, 2021; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Xander Schauffele lines up a putt on the 9th green during the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 23, 2021; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Xander Schauffele lines up a putt on the 9th green during the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The Zurich Classic 2021 concluded in grand fashion. The tournament once again saw Cameron Smith emerge as the champion, but he had a different teammate this time. On the other hand, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay did not pose a major threat in the final round, but the pair achieved a major feat.
The Zurich Classic is the only two-team tournament on the PGA Tour. Moreover, it switches between the foursome and four-ball format between rounds, and it gets challenging for the players.
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The second and final rounds are always played in the four-some (alternate-shot) format, where the players have to switch between each shot through 18 holes. It becomes a team task where both players need to be at their best to shoot a low score.
The alternate-shot format is generally not received with a great reception since it is tiring. Schauffele and Cantlay felt the wrath of it in Round 2 at the Zurich Classic but improved the result in the final round.
Reuters
Golf – The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, Georgia, U.S. – April 5, 2021 Patrick Cantlay of the U.S. on the 15th hole during a practice round REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay match Zurich Classic birdie record
Schauffele and Cantlay shot 2-over 74 in their first foursome round at the Zurich Classic. The over-par score made them lose spots on the leaderboard, but the duo admirably improved their display in the subsequent rounds.
The experienced pair shot 4-under 68 in Round 3 four-ball format and then made the joint best score at TPC Louisiana on Sunday. It is never easy to get a good score in the foursome format, but Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay were all about the focus in the final round.
The duo made eight birdies en route to their 5-under 67 which enthralled the viewers. Furthermore, the birdie count also tied the Zurich Classic foursome record which was previously held by (Ryan Ruffells/Kyle Stanley/R1/2017 and Corey Conners/Mackenzie Hughes/R2/ 2019).
Eight birdies in a round tied the most in Foursomes format at the @Zurich_Classic (Ryan Ruffells/Kyle Stanley/R1/2017 and Corey Conners/Mackenzie Hughes/R2/ 2019) https://t.co/Oabnf06QOx
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 25, 2021
Now, Schauffele and Cantlaty are also a part of this special list. Their brilliant display did not earn them a place atop the leaderboard, but the duo produced one of the low rounds of the tournament in the alternate-shot format.
Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay finished tied for 11th place at the Zurich Classic 2021. Their 15-under par was no match in front of the winners, but the pair can always take away the positives from the tournament!
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