Isaiah Salinda, Kevin Velo shoot record 58 to open Zurich Classic

Field Level Media|published: Thu 24th April, 20:22 2025

Apr 24, 2025; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Kevin Velo, left, and Isaiah Salinda celebrate making a 58, a new course record, on the 18th hole during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo set the four-ball record at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with their 14-under-par 58 to take the first-round lead on Thursday at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La.

Playing the best-ball format, Salinda and Velo were a white-hot 12 under through their first 11 holes -- an eagle by Salinda at the par-5 seventh and the rest birdies -- before slowing down. The team finished with four pars and a birdie over the final five holes.

Salinda is No. 163 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Velo is No. 363 and both have yet to win on the PGA Tour.

The scoring record only handed Salinda and Velo a one-shot lead over Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, who turned in a 13-under 59. Neither brother made a single bogey.

Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama are tied for third at 11-under 61 along with the teams of Australian Cam Davis and Canadian Adam Svensson; Paul Peterson and Germany's Thomas Rosenmueller; and Norwegian Kris Ventura and Frenchman Antoine Rozner.

Defending champions Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry of Ireland opened with an 8-under 64. This is McIlroy's first tournament since winning the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam.

The tournament will turn to foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday. Following the 36-hole cut, it will be four-ball on Saturday and foursomes on Sunday.

--Field Level Media

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