Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry Team Up for Popular Zurich Classic Win

The world No. 2 had never been to New Orleans but made the most of out of his first visit.

Apr 28, 2024; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry walk up the ninth fairway / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Rory McIlroy will happily come back to New Orleans next year.

The world No. 2 was the star attraction at the Zurich Classic, teaming up with Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry in the PGA Tour’s two-man tournament. McIlroy, a first-time visitor to the Big Easy, said he stayed downtown and sampled plenty of the city’s famous cuisine—and while in town he just happened to pick up his 25th career Tour win.

McIlroy and Lowry won on the first playoff hole against Martin Trainer and Chad Ramey, a popular result among the big crowds at TPC Louisiana. 

MORE: Final results, payouts from the Zurich Classic

“Absolutely amazing. We've had an awesome week here in New Orleans. The crowds all week have been absolutely amazing,” McIlroy said. “To get the support that we've had out there and to have so much fun while doing it, it's been an awesome week, and obviously I feel like it's just a bonus to win at the end.”

The pair opened with a 61 in better-ball format to take a share of the early lead, then continued to co-lead going into the weekend after a 70 in Friday's alternate shot. They fired a 64 in another better-ball round on Saturday, then 68 in alternate shot on Sunday while playing in the penultimate group.

Rory McIlroy picked up his 25th career PGA Tour win in the two-man team Zurich Classic of New Orleans. / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The first sudden-death playoff hole was in the same alternate-shot format as the final round. Trainer and Ramey shot 63 in the final round, tying a record for the format first set by Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, skyrocketing up the leaderboard to post 25 under for the tournament. They started the day so far off the pace that they then sat for nearly three hours to see if that score would stand up.

Once back out for the playoff, the extended rest appeared to be a detriment as they scrambled on the par-5 18th and missed a par putt that would have extended the playoff. Lowry had a birdie putt to win that missed, but it turned out a par was all Lowry and McIlroy needed.

“It was nice to win,” said Lowry, who had struggled with his putting but holed a short birdie putt on the 72nd hole to make the playoff. “Look, it's disappointing for the lads to finish the way they did, but we've had just the best week. Anytime this man wants to partner with me, I'll be happy to do so.”

And with that, McIlroy said he’d return in 2025 to defend the title.

“I'd say we're going to come back and defend next year; what do you think?” he said, turning to the Irishman.

“I’ll be here,” Lowry said.