Former BYU teammates Patrick Fishburn and Zach Blair are making waves at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, taking the third-round lead with a stellar 12-under 60 in better-ball play. The duo, who have been playing together since their junior high school days in Ogden, Utah, are now on the brink of their first PGA Tour victory.
At 23-under 193, Fishburn and Blair hold a one-stroke lead over Luke List and Henrik Norlander, with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry two strokes behind. Despite windy conditions at TPC Louisiana, Fishburn managed three birdies and an eagle on the first five holes, setting the tone for their impressive round.
“We’ll do our best to go take advantage of it,” Blair said of their position heading into the final round. List and Norlander are hot on their heels after a 62, with List eagling the second and 11th holes.
McIlroy and Lowry, who were tied for the lead after the first two rounds, had a slow start but rallied to birdie seven of their last 12 holes, finishing at 21 under alongside Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard. Canadians Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin lead the group at 20 under.
Fishburn and Blair are just one stroke off the tournament record, with Blair crediting Fishburn’s solid play for their success. The duo made the turn in 7-under 29 and continued their momentum on the back nine, birdieing five of the first six holes before finishing with three pars.
“It’s pretty easy to hit shots when Zac is always in the fairway, always on the green,” Fishburn said. “We ham-and-egged it really good today.” With the alternate-shot finale looming, all eyes will be on Fishburn and Blair as they aim for their first PGA Tour victory.