US rookies in command at PGA pairs event

WASHINGTON — US rookies Kevin Velo and Isaiah Salinda grabbed a one-stroke lead after Friday's (Saturday in Manila) alternate-shot second round of the PGA Zurich Classic while defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry charged into contention.

Velo and Salinda, each seeking his first PGA Tour title, combined to fire a three-under par 69 to stand on 17-under 127 after 36 holes in the pairs event at TPC of Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana.

"Overall really solid. We played really to our strengths today," Velo said. "We played pretty flawless. We feed off each other really easily."

Americans Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak, also chasing their first PGA wins, combined for a 66 with birdies on three of their final five holes to stand second on 128, one stroke ahead of Danish twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard.

"We're both in solid form right now, feeding off each other," said Novak, who lost a playoff to Justin Thomas at last week's Heritage event.

Back-nine starters Salinda and Velo, pals since their junior golf days, were one-over through nine holes but reeled off three birdies in a row to start their second nine and share the lead.

Salinda's birdie putt from just inside 12 feet at the eighth put them alone at the top.

"I like our chances in alternate shot versus anyone in the field," Salinda said. "We just keep playing how we're playing, set ourselves up for Sunday and give ourselves a shot."

McIlroy and Lowry were six-under after 12 holes but stumbled with bogeys on three of the last six holes to shoot 69 and finish on 11-under 133 entering Saturday's four-ball format third round and Sunday's alternate-shot final round.

"We were six-under through 12 and cruising and then a bit of a bad finish, but I didn't feel like we played that badly to have the finish that we did," McIlroy said. "A couple of loose shots here and there.

"Tomorrow it will be hard to stay patient because the four-ball format you just have to try to make as many birdies as you can."

Northern Ireland's McIlroy, in his first event since winning the Masters two weeks ago to complete a career Grand Slam, and Irishman Lowry want to become the event's first back-to-back champions.