The PGA Tour stopped in New Orleans for its annual Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2023. It may not have had a stellar field, but those who made it to the weekend cut gave a great show on Sunday.
The final round of alternate shot golf at TPC Louisiana was no exception. Six teams, including the defending champions Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele and Davis Riley, were still in contention down the stretch. But it was Nick Hardy, Davis Riley and the tournament record of 30 under that gave them the victory.
Hardy/Riley jumped out to the lead with 29 under par after a birdie at No. Wyndham Hossler and Beau Hossler were left to chase. Hardy/Riley doubled down, as if gambling on a riverboat in the bayou, with another birdie at No. The lead was now two shots.
The par on the 18th hole sealed the deal on an impressive 7-under-65 in the final round. This was the second-best round of the day, after Adam Hadwin (runner-up) and Nick Taylor (28-under-par finishers) fired a 9 under-63.
Clark/Hossler eliminated themselves from the competition with consecutive bogeys at Nos. Hardy/Riley’s move was made on Nos. 16 and 17. The pair birdied the last hole to finish in third place at 27 under par, one shot ahead of Matthew NeSmith, Taylor Moore, and Schauffele/Cantlay who finished T-4 with 26 under.
