Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry emerged victorious in a thrilling playoff to claim the Zurich Classic of New Orleans title. The duo showcased their resilience and skill, particularly in the tense final moments of the fourth round.
Lowry’s exceptional chip onto the 18th green set the stage for a dramatic finish, as he sunk a crucial birdie putt to level the scores with Martin Trainer and Chad Ramey at 25 under par. Trainer and Ramey had surged up the leaderboard earlier in the day with an impressive round of 63, but the pressure of the playoff seemed to affect their performance.
As the playoff unfolded, McIlroy and Lowry capitalized on their experience and composure. Despite facing challenges, including Lowry finding sand with his second shot, they maintained their focus. Ultimately, it was a missed putt from Trainer that secured the victory for the Irish pair, marking McIlroy’s 25th career PGA Tour win.
The celebrations were jubilant as Lowry lifted McIlroy in celebration on the 18th green. Their triumph earned them 400 FedEx Cup points each, along with a significant purse of $1.268 million (£1.14 million) per player.
Reflecting on their win, McIlroy expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic support of the fans throughout the tournament, emphasizing the joy they experienced while competing. Lowry echoed the sentiment, acknowledging McIlroy’s pivotal role in their success and expressing appreciation for the valuable FedEx Cup points they gained.
In summary, it was a memorable victory for McIlroy and Lowry, underscoring their talent and teamwork on the PGA Tour stage.