Rookie Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo hold on to halfway lead in New Orleans

Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are six strokes off the pace after dropping three shots in the last six holes en route to a 69.

SIX SHOTS OFF: Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are six strokes off the pace after dropping three shots in the last six holes en route to a 69. Pic: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo birdied their 17th hole to hold on to the lead at the halfway stage of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The rookie pair, who shot a record low 58 in the opening fourballs, added a three-under-par 69 in foursomes to reach 17-under-par with a one-stroke lead over fellow Americans Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin.