PGA Tour Twin Brothers Break 60 at Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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One of the three pairs of brothers stole the show right away at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard signed for a Best Ball 13-under 59 as the twins seemingly could not miss on Thursday.
They tied the course record for TPC Louisiana, but that number did not hold for much longer.
The twins felt the conditions were perfect, though.
"Even though we played where you clean the ball or pick and clean, you still get a little bit less spin on the fairway," Nicolai said. "So it was still wet —you didn't have to control it. Then the sun came out, and you had perfect conditions. But there's barely any wind, and we took advantage of that."
The twins go seriously low 🔥
Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard tie the course record with a 59 @Zurich_Classic! pic.twitter.com/FYRTGnCmOL — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 24, 2025
His brother Rasmus agreed and felt the life, clean and place rule helped them in some areas.
"Even some of the shots around the greens gets a little easier because you can place the ball," he explained. "As the day went on, a little wind showed up, but still out there right now, it feels comfortable with the amount of wind there is."
The twins made the turn in 31 strokes after each one made two birdies. On their back nine, they came home in just 28 shots.
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark and Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark speak on the ninth greenon day one of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 24, 2025 in Avondale, Louisiana....
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark and Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark speak on the ninth greenon day one of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 24, 2025 in Avondale, Louisiana. More
Photo byThey both made four birdies to secure one of two sub-60 scores in Round 1 of the tournament. Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo later set the course record with a 14-under 58.
Salinda made four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 7th. However, Velo made sure that as a team, they had a birdie or better on every hole of the front nine.
His birdies at the par-4 1st, par-4 8th, and par-3 9 saw them make the turn in 26 strokes.
Salinda carried the team on the back nine, adding four more birdies to the scorecard to come home in 31 strokes. Neither guy went cold, but the former Stanford golfer could not miss.
"He made a ton of putts," Velo said about Salinda. "He one putted damn near every green it seemed like. Very easy to play golf when you have a partner that's stacking it and making a lot of putts..."
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: Kevin Velo of the United States rubs the shoulders of Isaiah Salinda of the United States on the 17th green on day one of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans...
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: Kevin Velo of the United States rubs the shoulders of Isaiah Salinda of the United States on the 17th green on day one of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 24, 2025 in Avondale, Louisiana. More
Photo by"We fed off each other, and I sprinkled in some birdies when we needed to, but pretty much I was on his back the whole day," Velo added.
They credited their success to their long-time friendship and being comfortable around each other.
"It's more important to play with someone you like and enjoy playing with, one of your friends," Salinda said. "It's really cool. We've known each other since we were young junior golfers. We've stayed incredibly close friends since, and we've been looking forward to this event for a while."
The duo had a chance to record a 57, but missed their putts on 18 and settled for a 58.
Friday's format will be an alternate shot, posing a harder challenge. It is the toughest format, as it tends to be when the scores do not go nearly as low.
There is a lot of golf left, but it is always fun to see a duo break the four-ball course record.
More Golf: U.S. Open: 14-Year-Old Posts Incredible Score, Advances to Final Qualifying
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