PGA TOUR
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Aussie Pair Smith and Leishman Win Zurich Classic
Australian duo Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans—the lone two-man event on the PGA Tour.
Smith and Leishman overcame South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel at the first playoff hole at TPC Louisiana.
Smith, who won this event with Jonas Blixt in 2017, now owns three PGA Tour titles. He has recorded each win in a playoff. Leishman now boasts six PGA Tour victories.
The dynamic pair from Australia was paired with Oosthuizen and Schwartzel in the final group on Sunday. Oosthuizen/ Schwartzel began the day with a narrow one shot over Smith/ Leishman and America’s Cameron Champ and Tony Finau.
Champ/ Finau struggled in the final round foursomes format. Playing alternate shot, the talented pair posted a disappointing 4-over 76 to drop to a tie for 17th place.
It was a different story for the Smith/ Leishman team. The pair covered the front nine with three unanswered birdies and held a two-shot lead over Oosthuizen/ Schwartzel after making their fourth birdie of the round at the 11th hole. From this point, it was a two-team contest for the title.
The gap became one shot after the Australians bogeyed the 13th hole. The pair dropped their first shot of the day to set the stage for a dramatic ending.
Smith/ Leishman made another bogey at the 15th hole. At the same green, Schwartzel drained a birdie putt from 15 feet. The two-shot swing in favour of the South Africans put them in the lead by one shot with three holes to play.
The 16th hole produced more drama—this time it was the Australians making the spectacle.
Smith drove his three-wood into the water guarding the short par 4 green. Leishman, who was forced to take a penalty drop, holed his pitch from 23 feet for birdie. The two teams shared the lead at 21-under.
Both pairs made a bogey at the par 3, 17th hole and a par at the final hole to finish at 20-under.
Smith/ Leishman got the job done with a par at the first extra hole after the teams returned to play the par 5, 18th hole.
Americans Richy Werenski and Peter Uihlein finished in outright third place after firing a final round 5-under 67 to get to 19-under.
Defending champions Ryan Palmer and Jon Rahm finished at 17-under and in a tie for 7th place.
The PGA Tour moves to Florida for the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort. England’s Paul Casey is the defending champion.
Final Scores
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
1. Cameron Smith/ Marc Leishman -20
2. Louis Oosthuizen/ Charl Schwartzel -20
3. Richy Werenski/ Peter Uihlein -19
T4. Billy Horschel/ Sam Burns -18
T4. Keith Mitchell/ Brandt Snedeker -18
T4. Keegan Bradley/ Brendan Steele -18
Photo credit: Stacy Revere /Getty Images