Zurich Classic 36 Hole Recap and Weekend Preview

Two stand alone at the top of the Zurich Classic leaderboard – many players will finish their 2nd rounds on Saturday.

The Zurich Classic is struggling with the weather. As darkness fell in New Orleans on Friday about half the field were on the course.

With many left to finish in their second round this morning, Saturday is going to be a very long day at the Zurich Classic. Your current leaders are both in the clubhouse at 11-under par for the tournament through 36 holes. Those two men are Jamie Lovemark and Jhonattan Vegas.

Lovemark continues strong play this season. He is yet again in strong contention in a PGA TOUR event heading into the weekend after a solid 6-under par 66 on Friday. Lovemark has a lot of power to go along with his impressive putting stroke. That is honestly not a combination you see too often on the PGA TOUR. I really think no player is closer to picking up his first win than Jamie Lovemark. His game really suits this course well, so it might just be this weekend.

Apr 29, 2016; Avondale, LA, USA; Jamie Lovemark throws a ball to a fan after a putt on the 9th hole during the second round of the 2016 Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Jhonattan Vegas, on the other hand, has been a bit more inconsistent. He does have 5 top-25’s this season but has yet to really put himself in realistic winning opportunities the way Lovemark has this year. Vegas is also a bomber and has picked up his work with the flat stick as well in New Orleans. He currently is averaging over 315 yards off the tee and has picked up a whopping 2.5 strokes with the putter already.

Just one shot behind of our leaders is Brian Stuard. He was tied for the lead after a first round 8-under par 64. Now Stuard may be your leader after he finishes his last 6 holes Saturday morning. He isn’t a long driver by any means, but he has more than made up for it by gaining 3.8 strokes with the putter.

The two biggest names in the Zurich Classic field, without question, are Jason Day and Rickie Fowler. World number one Jason Day is currently 6 shots back of the lead through 10 holes in his second round. Day simply hasn’t made enough putts to be closer up towards the lead. However, if he can come out on perfect greens Saturday morning and play his last 8 holes maybe three or four under par, he can really put himself in position to where the leaders see his name.

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It’s been odd seeing Rickie Fowler play golf with a shirt and shoes on. As I’m sure most of you have seen, it was quite a spring break for Fowler and the rest of the golf bros in the Bahamas. If you were not following Fowler on snapchat, you missed some great entertainment.

It was only natural to predict somewhat of a hangover for the Oklahoma St. alum. Fowler is currently seven shots back of the lead, but still has nine holes to make up some of that ground on Vegas and Lovemark. Fowler needs to drop a few more mid-range putts and hit a few more fairways to give himself better looks at the flag-sticks.

The defending champion of this event, Justin Rose, is going to miss the cut at even-par for the Zurich Classic.

Next: Zurich Classic Power Rankings

The weather this weekend still threatens the Zurich Classic. There is about a 50% chance of rain both Saturday and Sunday and the wind will be up. It’s still going to make for some exciting golf for us to watch.

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