Jon Rahm, 26, and Ryan Palmer, 42, are something of an odd couple.
However, there was no generation gap as the Spaniard and the Texan carded a 3-under-par 69 in the alternate-shot format to claim a three-stroke victory over Sergio Garcia of Spain and Tommy Fleetwood of England in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana https://tpc.com/louisiana in Avondale, La.
“It’s very special to win this and I’m excited to share it with Ryan,” said Rahm, who claimed his seventh pro victory. “He was amazing with the putter today and I definitely got carried for the first few holes.
“I felt like I had to do something and then I made the birdie at 10, and that felt good. We played a lot of good golf today and Ryan just made so many putts.”
Added Palmer, whose fourth PGA Tour victory was his first since the 2010 Sony Open in Hawaii: “It’s been nine years since the last one, so it’s pretty special. It’s fun to play with a guy like Jon. … My putter was there today and so many of those putts were crucial. What a day.”
Rahm (pictured right) and Palmer (left) birdied three of the first five holes of the back nine and finished with four straight pars to post a score of 26-under 262. Rahm made a 13-foot birdie putt at No. 10 and Palmer knocked in birdies from three feet at No. 13 and 11 feet at No. 14.
European Ryder Cup teammates Garcia and Fleetwood birdied the last two holes, with Sergio sinking a 29-foot putt at No. 18 to cap a 68, but it was too little and too late.
Kyoung-Hoon Lee of South Korea and Matt Every posted a 68 to finish five shots back in a tie for third with Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia and Brian Gay, who finished at 71.
Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown, who lost the Zurich in a playoff to Jonas Blixt of Sweden and Cameron Smith of Australia two years ago, totaled 69 to wind up six behind in a tie for fifth with Seamus Power of Ireland and David Hearn of Canada, who had a 68; Roberto Castro and Cameron Tringale, who also finished at 68, and Curtis Luck of Australia and Hank Lebioda, who wound up at 71.
Englishmen Ian Poulter and Sam Horsfield shot 67 to finish one more down in a tie for ninth with Martin Laird of Scotland and Nick Taylor of Canada, who had a 69; Nick Watney and Charley Hoffman, who totaled 71, and Peter Malnati and Billy Hurley III, who came in at 73.
Defending champions Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy tied for 13th after a 70.
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