LOUISIANA — Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer birdied two of their final three holes to recover the lead from Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick midway through the Zurich PGA Classic at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.
The English brothers put up the round of the day as a foursome’s pair, a 7-under-par 65, to move into the lead at 15 under, Reuters reported.
They held that lead late in the day before first-round leaders Smalley and Springer, who started on the back nine, made up for bogeys at Nos. 4 and 6 with birdies at Nos. 7 and 8.
Smalley and Springer climbed to 16-under 128 after posting a 70. Tied with the Fitzpatricks at 15 under were Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge (68) and Davis Thompson/Austin Eckroat (70).
Seventy-four teams entered the unique event, where teams of two play four-ball (best ball) in the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and fourth rounds. Alternate shot is considered the more difficult of the two formats.
After their birdie at the seventh, Smalley stuck his approach at No 8 to 3 feet of the cup for Springer to tap in.
“I don’t know if Hayden missed a putt inside of 10 feet all day, so that was huge,” Smalley said.
Springer also hit a key bunker shot at the par-5 second hole to 8 feet for Smalley to convert into a birdie.
Springer, best known for shooting a 59 at the 2024 John Deere Classic, is currently grinding on the Korn Ferry Tour with limited PGA Tour starts. A win would grant him the normal two-year exemption on tour.
“It’s interesting to kind of be on that bubble … I’m hoping that I can play a little bit better and get out of that position, but it’s just part of it,” Smalley said.
