Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry share lead at Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are off to a blazing start at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, sharing the lead after shooting an impressive 11-under 61 in Four-ball play on Thursday. Their stellar performance puts them in a tie for the first-round lead alongside three other teams: Ryan Brehm-Mark Hubbard, Ben Kohles-Patton Kizzire, and Aaron Rai-David Lipsky.

McIlroy and Lowry wasted no time making their mark on the course, securing birdies on their first four holes. McIlroy took charge with the team's first three birdies, showcasing their strong start. Lowry also contributed significantly, emphasizing the importance of their combined effort.

Reflecting on their successful round, Lowry expressed satisfaction with their performance, highlighting their ability to make crucial birdies and contribute to the team's success. Brehm and Hubbard, who also had a stellar round, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing their synergy on the course.

The field at TPC Louisiana is crowded with talent, with twenty teams at 9 under or better on a competitive leaderboard. The format will switch to Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday, presenting a new challenge for the players.

Despite their strong start, McIlroy and Lowry remained focused on their game, with McIlroy joking about their potential attendance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Friday afternoon. With their eyes set on maintaining their lead, they are hopeful for a late tee time on Saturday, keeping them in contention for the title.