Daijiworld Media Network - New Orleans

New Orleans, Apr 26: Sahith Theegala, alongside teammate Aaron Rai, moved into the top 10 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a solid second-round 69 in the alternate-shot format. The duo started strong with a birdie on the first, followed by an eagle on the second hole, and a birdie on the seventh. They had a minor setback with a dropped shot on the fifth but managed to par the remaining holes, including all nine on the back nine.

Despite their strong performance, Akshay Bhatia, who shares representation with Theegala under Hero, failed to make the cut, playing alongside Carson Young.

Meanwhile, rookies Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo continued to dominate with a 3-under 69 in their second round, maintaining their lead atop the leaderboard with a 17-under 127 at TPC Louisiana. The pair had already set a new tournament better-ball record with a 58 on Thursday.

Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, who had an up-and-down round, were six strokes behind in a tie for 16th after a 69.

Salinda and Velo made the turn at 1 over on the back nine but recovered with four birdies on the front nine. Novak and Griffin, with a 66, remained one stroke behind in second place.

McIlroy and Lowry had a promising start, making an eagle on the second and playing the first 12 holes in 6 under, but they faltered over the last six holes, dropping strokes on 13, 17, and 18.

The event continues with better-ball play on Saturday and alternate shot on Sunday.