PGA Tour news: Nick Hardy and Davis Riley combine to win Zurich Classic by two strokes
- Michael Schmitt
- 24 April 2023
Americans Nick Hardy and Davis Riley won their first PGA Tour titles at the Zurich Classic team event on Sunday after finishing two strokes clear of Canadian duo Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor.
Americans Nick Hardy and Davis Riley won the PGA Tour's team event, the Zurich Classic, after finishing two strokes clear of Canadian duo Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor.
Hardy and Riley won the tournament in record-setting fashion thanks to their winning total of 30 under par, achieved after combining for a seven-under-par 65 in the final round at TPC of Louisiana at Avondale.
"This is so special and to share it with one of my best friends out here on tour is a dream come true," Riley said.
The victorious duo broke the old 72-hole record of 259, which was set by reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and fellow American Patrick Cantlay last year.
"It's pretty surreal, Riley said. "I know the work Nick puts in and I put in and for it to all pay off and share this moment with Nick is pretty cool."
The Americans were able to gain control of the contest by birdying five of the last eight holes. Their fourth birdie in that run came when Riley sank a long putt from off the green at the 17th hole.
"That's definitely up there," Riley said in reference to the long-range putt. "It was one of those ones I just tried to hit with good speed and just leave Nick a good par putt and I hit it just right and it went in."
Hardy revealed he and Riley have been friends since they were 14.
"Really solid down the stretch and it just feels great to close," Hardy said. "Davis has been so good this week I knew I just needed to play my game and be solid because he has been playing so well and we did that."
Third place went to Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler, who held the lead over the first two rounds.
Cantlay and Schauffele, ranked fourth and fifth in the world respectively, set the foursomes tournament record with a 63 Friday but ultimately shared fourth with compatriots Taylor Moore and Matthew NeSmith on 262.
What a putt š„
ā PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 24, 2023
The defining moment from @DavisRiley68 and @NickHardy8ās victory @Zurich_Classic. pic.twitter.com/IRrOgET3Ew
