Patty Ice gives it large after posting 63 with X-Man: "We're world class!"

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele vaulted themselves into contention in round two of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the PGA Tour.

Patty Ice gives it large after posting 63 with X-Man: "We're world class!"
Patty Ice gives it large after posting 63 with X-Man: "We're world class!"

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele claimed they were targeting shooting a combined score of 59 over the weekend after vaulting themselves back into contention at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. 

Cantlay and Schauffele are the defending champions here at TPC Louisiana. Matthew Fitzpatrick and his younger brother Alex raced out of the blocks on day one of this team event on the PGA Tour

But the two Americans, known for their close personal friendship, showed all their class on day two in Avondale. 

Schauffele and Cantlay - who has faced accusations of playing far too slowly recently - posted a second round of 9-under 63 in the foursomes. 

That was comprised of seven birdies and an eagle to reach a total of 14-under, which was two strokes back of the clubhouse lead set by Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler. 

"Three bogeys in best ball is not ideal," Cantlay told the media after his second round, reflecting on a sluggish start. 

He added: "Today Xander putted great and hit a lot of really nice wedge shots and pitches. Left me three feet and in a couple times and made a bunch of mid-range 15-, 20-footers, which is exactly what you need to do to shoot 9-under par." 

Why did to the duo connect so well? 

Cantlay said: 

"I think it's just Xander is really good, and I can play well, too, so when we get two guys together that are really good, and I think it helps that we're friends, but when you get two world-class players playing together and we both have a day where we're on like today, we can post a low one." 

Patty Ice gives it large after posting 63 with X-Man:

What about the weekend, Patrick? "We'd like to get that 59 again in best ball. We're going to try," he said. 

Elsewhere, Chad Raimey and Martin Trainer are in contention at 14-under par having carded a second round of 67.

Brandon Matthews - whose caddie went above and beyond on day one - and Sean O'Hair are also T-3, 

This is the sixth year that the Zurich Classic of New Orleans is being played with the two-man team format, which was introduced in 2017.

It was cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

The teams play four-ball in the first and third rounds, and foursomes in the second and final rounds. 

Zurich Classic of New Orleans leaderboard

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