Record-Breaking Performance at the 2025 Zurich Classic
The inaugural round of the 2025 Zurich Classic delivered a remarkable display of golf at TPC Louisiana, as Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo set a new tournament record with a stunning first-round score of 58 in four-ball format. Their performance eclipsed the previous record of 59, which was jointly held by the Højgaard twins, Rasmus and Nicolai.
Salinda and Velo’s Historic Round
Salinda and Velo’s 58 not only surpassed the Højgaards’ impressive 59 but also broke the earlier record established by Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in 2022. Salinda’s determination was evident throughout their round, as he recorded nine birdies and one eagle. Velo complimented Salinda’s performance, saying, “He played great. He made a ton of putts.” Velo added, “It was very easy to play golf when you have a partner that’s stacking it and making a lot of putts.”
Strong Start and Team Chemistry
The duo got off to a quick start, with Salinda netting two early birdies. Velo joined in on the birdie parade on the par-3 third hole. Salinda continued his dominance, securing three consecutive birdies from holes four to six, followed by an eagle on the par-5 seventh. They finished the front nine with a remarkable total of 26 strokes, sitting at 8 under after just nine holes.
Although birdie opportunities were slightly scarcer on the back nine, the team worked well together to maintain their lead. With Velo facing challenges later in the round, Salinda’s continued success ensured their strong position, and he added a crucial birdie on the 16th hole to bring their total to 14 under.
Looking Ahead
As they head into the second round, Salinda and Velo hold a one-stroke edge over the Højgaard twins, who are currently at 13 under, and a three-stroke lead over the following competitors. The format shifts to foursomes (alternate shot) for the upcoming round, which is typically more challenging and requires impeccable teamwork.
Defending Champions Monitor the Competition
Among those in pursuit are defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, who opened their title defense with a 64. McIlroy acknowledged the importance of maintaining a good ranking, stating, “We felt like we left a few shots out there, but we were just saying the two foursomes days are the important days in this tournament.” He emphasized the need for a strong performance as they transition to the alternate shot format.
Current Standings
Leaders:
- 1. Isaiah Salinda & Kevin Velo (-14)
- 2. Nicolai Højgaard & Rasmus Højgaard (-13)
- T3. Adam Svensson & Cam Davis, Paul Peterson & Thomas Rosenmueller, Antoine Rozner & Kris Ventura, Collin Morikawa & Kurt Kitayama (-11)
- T7. Robby Shelton & Trey Mullinax, Takumi Kanaya & Ryo Hisatsune, Andrew Novak & Ben Griffin, Jacob Bridgeman & Chandler Phillips, Matt Wallace & Thorbjørn Olesen (-10)
Future Aspirations for the Højgaards
Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard, while currently outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings, view this tournament as a potential turning point. Rasmus noted, “Now, today, we didn’t think too much about getting to a certain score.” This positive mindset contributed to their impressive performance, indicating promising potential for the remainder of the tournament.
Upcoming Challenges and Odds
The stakes will rise significantly in the next rounds as teams adapt to the demanding foursomes format. Betting odds, as provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, reflect the shifting dynamics as players adapt:
- Rasmus Højgaard & Nicolai Højgaard: 5-1
- Kurt Kitayama & Collin Morikawa: 5-1
- Shane Lowry & Rory McIlroy: 7-1
- Isaiah Salinda & Kevin Velo: 12-1
- Thorbjørn Olesen & Matt Wallace: 12-1
- Ben Griffin & Andrew Novak: 14-1
As the tournament progresses, Salinda and Velo’s chemistry and experience will be put to the test, making for an exciting continuation of the 2025 Zurich Classic.