AVONDALE, La. – Wide fairways. Receptive greens. No breeze. Warm temperatures. Humid air.
On Saturday, Lucas Glover and Boo Weekley will need birdies – lots of them – to stay in front at the Zurich Classic.
As they headed to the first tee at TPC Louisiana, there had already been two 65s and a pair of 67s posted on the board.
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Said Jason Dufner, who shot 67: “This is about as easy as it’s going to get on the PGA Tour.”
Henrik Norlander, who played the first two rounds alongside 14-year-old Guan Tianlang, appeared destined to make history of his own. The big-hitting Swede was 7 under through 13 holes, in prime position to challenge the course record of 64, before making five consecutive pars coming in.
But even after reaching 10-under 206 – two off the overnight lead – Norlander realized he’d have work to do.
“It’s out there. I don’t think I’m going to be that close to the leader when the day is over,” he said. “You can shoot low today.”
Kevin Stadler could attest to that. Starting the day eight shots off the lead, he carded nine birdies – including one on the last – to shoot 65 and post 11 under. Though he likely won’t be in the lead at the end of the day, he’s in good position to earn his first top 10 since early February.