Jordan Spieth, Ryan Palmer Share Early Lead at 2017 Zurich Classic

Jordan Spieth and Ryan Palmer take their Lone Star connection to a share of the lead at the Zurich Classic.

The Zurich Classic has an all new look this year. One thing that won’t be new to golf fans, however, is the name at the top of the leaderboard. Jordan Spieth and his Texan pal Ryan Palmer earned a share of the lead after a nearly flawless Thursday foursomes opener.

At 6-under, Spieth and Palmer are tied with Kyle Stanley and Ryan Ruffels, a soon-to-be 19 year old pro making just his tenth PGA TOUR start. Four teams are close behind at -5, and four more are two off the pace at 4-under par. With some incredibly low scores likely in the Friday best-ball session, any lead is a good lead.

Spieth, Palmer are an ideal match, in both game and personality

Spieth is making his first start since his disappointing Sunday at the Masters, and you wouldn’t know it to look at him. After Augusta, the 23-year-old got some time to decompress during #SB2K17 alongside his own version of the “Frat Pack” – Rickie Fowler, Smylie Kaufman and Justin Thomas. Coming back from a recharge with the boys on Spring Break, it’s clear Spieth’s pairing with the 40-year-old Palmer is a perfect fit.

Remember, this team got together as a result of a bet. In November, Spieth played a

friendly round with Palmer and his caddie, James Edmondson. An accomplished golfer in his own right, Edmondson laid out a bet with Spieth. The terms were simple. If Edmondson won, Spieth would partner with Palmer in New Orleans.

As they say in the Big Easy, laissez les bon temps rouler – let the good times roll.

In a surprising turn, Edmondson “clipped” Spieth that day. However, the way he and Palmer complemented each other on Friday makes you wonder why it even needed to be a bet in the first place.

On the course, there couldn’t have been a much better alternate-shot pairing. Palmer, who is averaging nearly 300 yards off the tee this year, provided the firepower that Spieth lacks. Spieth, a short-game wizard, did what he always does. With a deadly touch on and around the greens, the duo combined for six birdies and no bogeys on Thursday.

Spieth and Palmer are in prime position to make a run this weekend

As you can see in the clip below, it’s tough to beat a team that’s working on all cylinders at all times.

While it wasn’t like that all day long, it certainly wasn’t far off. And while Spieth is clearly one of the game’s biggest stars, he was quick to acknowledge just how huge Palmer’s day really was.

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"“Ryan really got us started,” Spieth said. “He didn’t miss a shot. I think he missed two all day, and he didn’t miss a shot for the first 10 holes. I was playing out of spots that I can’t hit it, I’m not capable of it, and it was really nice to get that to start. Obviously on the second hole, he drives one 355 down the middle, I can hit a 6-iron onto the par-5 green, leads to a nice under-par start for us.“Ryan really got us going, which was great, because these first rounds have been a bit of a downfall for me this year thus far, and we were able to kind of ride that momentum into the back nine.”"

Not only do Spieth and Palmer play great golf together, it’s clear they’re enjoying themselves. Following the round, the team took a break from golf to take in the NFL Draft – at the New Orleans Saints’ facility, at the invitation of coach Sean Payton.

Next: Zurich Classic Format - A Perfectly Timed Experiment

On the heels of such an incredible day, don’t expect this duo to go away any time soon.