Golf Highlights: US Rookies Fire Record 58 at PGA Zurich Classic

US rookies Kevin Velo and Isaiah Salinda set a 18-hole four-ball tournament record with a 14-under par 58 at the PGA Zurich Classic. Get the latest updates on the tournament.

Rookie pairing Kevin Velo and Isaiah Salinda set a 18-hole four-ball tournament record with a stunning 14-under par 58 at the PGA Zurich Classic. This impressive score gave them a one-stroke lead at TPC of Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana.

“It was out-of-body to watch him make as many putts as he did for sure,” Velo said, praising Salinda's exceptional performance. Salinda made eight birdies and an eagle, while Velo contributed five birdies in the first nine holes. “He played great. He made a ton of putts. He one-putted damn near every green it seemed,” Velo added.

Front-nine 26 🤯

Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo are going low in New Orleans! pic.twitter.com/7NLfflvSct

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 24, 2025

“I sprinkled in some birdies when we needed to, but pretty much I was on his back the whole day,” Velo said, describing his partnership with Salinda. Salinda's impressive performance included eight birdies and an eagle, while Velo added five birdies, all in the first nine holes.

Salinda and Velo, who have been friends since their junior golf days, broke the Zurich Classic record of 59. The previous record was set by Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in 2022 and matched earlier by Danish twin brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard. With their 14-under par 58, Salinda and Velo took a one-stroke lead in the pairs event.

(58) and a NEW course record! 🔓

What an opening round for Kevin Velo and Isaiah Salinda at the @Zurich_Classic 🔥 pic.twitter.com/os8ooSO1Mq

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) April 24, 2025

Salinda expressed surprise at their impressive score, saying, “I would have thought anything better than six-, seven-under would have been a good day for us.” He anticipates tougher times in Friday's alternate shot format but remains optimistic, adding, “If we just keep playing solid golf, we'll be just fine.”

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, competing in their bid to become the first back-to-back Zurich Classic champions, opened with a 64. McIlroy, in his first event since winning the Masters two weeks ago, shared 28th place with his partner. McIlroy reflected on their round, saying, “Sometimes every par you make feels like a bogey on these sorts of days. But then again, you have to remember that tomorrow and Sunday are the important days and if you can shoot good scores on those days, you can move up the board pretty quickly.”