Rory McIlroy’s walkoff eagle sets up final-round fireworks at Zurich

The headline duo of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry arrived at the 18th green on Saturday at the Zurich, got pulled off the course for a weather-delay-induced lunch break and then returned for exactly one more stroke: a 35-footer for eagle that McIlroy poured into the center of the cup, setting up a crowded final-round alternate-shot leaderboard that’ll feature the defending champs as well as some talented, if lesser known competition.

As for that pre-eagle preparation?

“I think the secret is not thinking about it in those 90 minutes,” McIlroy said. “We had a bit of lunch and we were watching some highlights from last year and talking about where we’re going to go for dinner tonight. The last thing on my mind during the delay was the putt, and then once I got back out there, I sort of concentrated on it and made sure I did what I needed to do — and just a bonus for it to go in.”

It’s been a fortnight-plus of bonus for McIlroy, who is making his first appearance since winning the Masters two weekends ago. As Lowry said in their post-round interview on CBS: “If he’s not relaxed and happy now, he never will be.”

The pair didn’t reveal Saturday night’s dinner plans, though McIlroy ticked off Gautreau’s and Arnaud’s as two stops they returned to this year after last year’s triumph. As for Sunday’s strategy?

“We’re just trying to have fun. I think that’s the most important thing,” he said. “As long as we keep having fun out there, that’ll be the best way for us to get the best out of ourselves.”

Here’s what else you need to know for the final round at the Zurich Classic:

THE LEADERS

Andrew Novak has been getting closer and closer to winning on the PGA Tour — getting as close as a playoff loss to Justin Thomas at last week’s RBC Heritage. Now he and partner Ben Griffin, who’s also chasing his first career Tour win, hold the outright lead by three after a Saturday 61.

THE CHASERS

Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III shot the low round of the day on Saturday, combining for a best-ball 60 that got them to 24 under par and a share of second place.

“Getting along with the guy you’re playing with is really important,” Knapp said. “Especially if you hit a couple bad shots, whatever, it’s nice to know your partner is not going to be saying bad things about you or getting mad at you, and we’re always patting each other on the back.”

They’re tied with the Japanese duo of Ryo Hisatsune and Takumi Kanaya, who shot 61. Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo are one shot further back at 23 under par.

THE TWINS

Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard shot “just” eight-under 64 on Saturday, losing some ground to their competition. But they’re squarely in the mix at 23 under par as they each chase their first PGA Tour win — and show European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald that they play well together. The two always have a hilarious give-and-take, but after Saturday’s round they struck an earnest tone.

“It’s always nice to have someone next to you that has your back,” Rasmus said. “I think there is a lot of trust and belief in each other. Yeah, I’m glad I have Nicolai next to me playing tomorrow.”

THE HEADLINERS

Then there’s McIlroy and Lowry leading a contingent at 22 under par that also includes the teams of Cam Davis and Adam Svensson as well as Luke List and Henrik Norlander.

But there is a lot of golf left; it’s worth noting that last year’s runners-up, Martin Trainer and Chad Ramey, shot a final-round alternate-shot 63 to catapult up the leaderboard.

“Alternate shot is a whole different ballgame,” Nicolai Højgaard said. “It’s Sunday coming down the stretch and it’s going to be fun. Yeah, we’re looking forward to it.”

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