'Fantastic Chemistry' Cantlay and Schauffele "'2-Person Team' Win Zurich Classic"… Im Sungjae and An Byeonghun Tied 14th (Summary)

Zurich Classic Final Day Foursome Even-Par 'Wire to Wire Victory', Hoshel and Burns 2 Strokes Behind in 2nd Place

Patrick Cantlay (right) and Xander Schauffele are holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo right after winning the '2-Person Team Battle' Zurich Classic. Avondale, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz Photo by Getty Images

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Wire-to-wire victory."

'Playoff (PO) champ' Patrick Cantlay and 'Tokyo Olympics Gold' Xander Schauffele secured a two-stroke win (29-under 259) by maintaining an even-par score on the final day of the PGA Tour's two-man team battle Zurich Classic (total prize money $8.3 million) held on the 25th (Korean time) at the Louisiana Golf Club in Avondale, Louisiana (par 72, 7,425 yards). The winner's prize money is $1.2 million (14.9 billion KRW) each. The 1st and 3rd rounds were played in Four-ball format (each player plays their own ball and the better score counts), while the 2nd and 4th rounds were played in Foursomes format (two players alternate shots playing one ball).

Although they faltered with one eagle, one birdie, and three bogeys, the advantage of starting with a five-stroke lead was significant. Cantlay and Schauffele were particularly strong in Four-ball rounds, shooting 13-under 59 on the first day and 12-under 60 on the third day. On this day, they showcased their 'fantastic chemistry' with an eagle on the 7th hole (par 5), but consecutive bogeys on the 9th and 10th holes slowed them down. Fortunately, they bounced back with a birdie on the 11th hole (par 5). The bogey on the final 18th hole (par 4) occurred as Cantlay conceded the champion putt to Schauffele after the victory was already secured.

It is interesting that this is the first win of the 2022 season for both players. Cantlay, moreover, was a four-time winner last year. He hit the 'jackpot' of $15 million (18.65 billion KRW) by winning the Zozo Championship in October 2020 (counted in the 2021 season), the Memorial Tournament in June 2021, the BMW Championship (PO second leg) in August, and the Tour Championship (PO final third leg) in September. However, this year, he has only recorded two runner-up finishes, including a loss in a playoff against Jordan Spieth on the final day of the RBC Heritage which ended on the 18th.

Sungjae Im (left) and Byung-Hoon An tied for 14th place in the '2-person team battle' Zurich Classic victory.

Schauffele also tasted a thrilling victory for the first time in three years and three months since the Sentry Tournament in January 2019. During this period, he suffered frustration at the doorstep of victory with eight runner-up finishes and four third-place finishes. Billy Horschel and Sam Burns (both from the USA) finished second (27-under 261). Korea's duo of Im Sung-jae (24) and An Byeong-hun (31, both from CJ Logistics) added 2-under with six birdies, two bogeys, and one double bogey to finish tied for 14th place (20-under 268).

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler's 'streak' stopped at tied 18th place (18-under 270). He had drawn attention with four wins in his last six tournaments, including different types of victories such as the Phoenix Open in February, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Dell Technologies Match Play in March, and the Masters major in April. He teamed up with Ryan Palmer (both from the USA) but failed to secure a team victory. Defending champions Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman (both from Australia) remained tied for 21st place (17-under 271).

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