Irish duo Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defeat Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer in a play-off to triumph in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The 2023 Ryder Cup teammates began the final day two shots off the lead at TPC Louisiana but a crucial birdie on the 18th meant that they managed to force a play-off after Ramey and Trainer shot a nine-under 63 to set a target of 25.
The play-off hole saw Lowry miss a birdie putt but Trainer did not manage to capitalize, missing his par put to seal the victory for the Irish pair.
This is McIlroy’s 25th win on the PGA TOUR and Lowry’s third.
Speaking on CBS Sports, McIlroy said: “It’s absolutely amazing.”
“We’ve had an awesome week here in New Orleans. The crowds have been absolutely amazing, to get the support we’ve had out there. We’ve had so much fun while doing it and it’s just a bonus to win at the end.
“It couldn’t be better than to do it with this man alongside me.”
Lowry added: “It’s great. It felt much needed. Coming into the week we felt we could do with a big jump for the FedEx Cup, let’s get 400 points each and that’s what we’ve done.
“I feel a little bit bad taking them because Rory carried me, but I’m taking them.”
Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard hit a final-round 69 to finish third on 24 under while there was a four-way tie for fourth featuring Paul Barjon and Sam Stevens, Ryan Fox and Garrick Higgo, Nicolas Echavarria and Max Greyserman, and Zac Blair and Patrick Fishburn.
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the CJ Cup Byron Nelson taking place between 2-5 May at TPC Craig Ranch.
What happens if you win the Zurich Classic?
For their troubles, each of the winning team’s players will receive $1.286 million. There’s $8.9 million in the purse.
Why is it called the Zurich Classic?
Zurich has been supporting the city and its people, from the depths of Hurricane Katrina to the height of the COVID-19 epidemic since becoming a title sponsor for the PGA Tour event in 2005. Since Katrina in 2006, Zurich Classic has been the first big sporting event to come back into town.