Brilliant walk-off eagle has McIlroy and Lowry firmly in hunt for New Orleans repeat

The defending champions returned from a storm delay with McIlroy stepping up to bury a 30-foot eagle putt on the 18th

Sat, 26 Apr, 2025 - 22:55

Staff

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy weathered a Louisiana storm delay and returned to give their defence of the Zurich Classic a spectacular surge on Saturday evening.

Having played their approaches into the par five 18th, the defending champion Irish duo were forced off the course as the heavens opened in New Orleans. After a 90-minute break inside the clubhouse they returned with a bang.

McIlroy, who'd boomed his second from 270 yards back in the fairway to find the green before the storm break, duly stepped up and sunk the 30-foot putt for a superb walk-off eagle which put the pair back into a share of the lead on 22-under. The Masters champion pumped his fist as Lowry cheered.

Rory with the walk-off eagle‼️@McIlroyRory and @ShaneLowryGolf are tied for the lead @Zurich_Classic.

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/mPoY075EVw
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 26, 2025

After following Thursday's opening 64 with a less sparkling 69 on Friday, McIlroy and Lowry carded eight birdies, two eagles and a frustrating bogey on the short 16th for a 61 at TPC Louisiana on Saturday. With plenty of other pairings to finish their third rounds, the reigning champions remained high on a bunched leaderboard ahead of Sunday's final round with two other teams also in the clubhouse on 22-under.

The other eagle on the Irish duo's card had been just as eye-pleasing, Lowry's trademark silky short game on display when he chipped in from off the green on the par-five seventh.

Chip-in eagle for the lads! ☘️@ShaneLowryGolf and @McIlroyRory are two shots off the lead @Zurich_Classic.

📺 @PGATOURLIVE pic.twitter.com/0iW7RrB6sU
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 26, 2025