Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Morikawa and Hovland eye second-round charge

But not at this week's Zurich of New Orleans where the 80 two-man teams were playing fourballs in Thursday's opening round.

On a course yielding lots of birdies and both players' balls counting, scoring was bound to be low and pre-tournament favourites Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland didn't feel they'd fully cashed in after their 7-under 65.

That put them five behind early pacesetters Matthew NeSmith and Taylor Moore.

Let's get this party started, New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/QGawJ5WKyx

Matthew NeSmith: "Strategy was… I mean, T's been a little bit under the weather here the last couple of days. So honestly, we were just trying to finish 18 holes upright. I mean, finish 18 holes upright, and all of a sudden, we started catching a touch of a rhythm, started making a few putts, started finding the round a little bit.

Taylor Moore: "I was in the ER yesterday morning. I had food poisoning Tuesday night up until midday yesterday. So just got an IV and some nausea medicine. Finally ate something this morning, which was nice. Like he said, just tried to finish every hole. That was kind of a win within its own right.

Aaron Rai: "We did complement each other really well today. David played some incredible golf, hit some shots really close, putted well. And David made a lot of birdies, especially early on and around the turn, which really got things going for us.

David Lipsky: "Our caddies are really good friends. They room together most weeks. It's just a comfortable fit for us. We know each other from the European Tour. So we always have that in common. I think it was meant to be.

Over the trees