Burnout persists even after a PGA TOUR event’s stretch, particularly for players chasing their first TOUR victory. For Nick Hardy and Davis Riley on Sunday, this was the situation.
Following conventional belief, it should be simpler for events like this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the only two-man team competition on the TOUR schedule. There is a second person with whom to share game plans.
Additionally, this adds another set of eyeballs to the area of the greens.
The foursomes’ final-round structure only calls for each player to make half of the total shots. This may give the competition the appearance of being easier, but Hardy and Riley disagree.
“When you’re not playing golf, your thoughts can wander quite a bit.” Riley said.
“You don’t want to disappoint your companion since golfers are control freaks.” added Hardy.
On Sunday, there weren’t many words of regret shared between the two.
Hardy and Riley produced a final-round 65 to overcome a three-shot lead and win the Zurich Classic with a tournament-record total of 30-under 258. There were plenty of high-fives, fist bumps, and hugs involved during their gameplay.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, a team of two golfers won their respective first PGA TOUR championships.
Hardy and Riley maintained their pace as they approached the front nine of TPC Louisiana, remaining mostly unnoticed for the majority of the day and making the turn at 2-under.
The unpopular pair of Riley and Hardy rapidly ascended the leaderboard as the overnight leaders , Beau Hossler and Wyndham Clark failed to overtake it and the much discussed team of Sungjae Im and Keith Mitchell struggled.
Riley also stated he couldn’t stop worrying about the back nine, and Hardy admitted to being anxious the entire day. Riley also said he woke up not feeling too good.
The second-year TOUR professionals finished the round at 2-under par, adding a birdie on the eleventh hole, and won by two strokes over Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor.
Hardy referred to Riley’s 207-yard approach shot on the 14th par-3 as “the purest 5-iron” he had ever seen.
Riley subsequently hit a 33-foot birdie putt from the edge on the 17th par-3 hole to give himself a two-shot lead on the way to the 18th hole.
“It’s usually difficult to achieve your first victory in a golf competition. You’ll need to take a shot or two and sort of step up. Thankfully, we were able to make a few really good shot.” explained Riley.
As they left the 18th green, the two were unaware that they had already clinched victory. Hossler and Clark missed their final putt on 18 and bogeyed the 16th par-4 to fall three strokes behind. They finished in solo third place after missing birdies on 17 and 18.
As it became official, Hardy and Riley hugged each other in front of the scorers’ tent. Despite being teammates this year, they have a long shared past. They have been friends since they were 14 and have competed in countless golf events together. A junior team competition called the Wyndham Cup was where the pair teamed up last.
The young careers of Hardy and Riley diverged at this event the previous year. Riley had six straight top 15 finishes before finishing T4. Meanwhile, Hardy had a left wrist injury at the fourth hole of the championship round.
Riley was excelling as a rookie, but Hardy was out for the following six weeks with an injury. Hardy placed 143rd in the FedExCup while Riley advanced to the playoffs and finished 36th.
“In fact, I was probably in the hospital at this time last year. Consequently, being out here is much better. We’ve come a long way since last year ” said Hardy who was able to make it to week 95 in the Fedex Cup.” Hardy said.
“Victory always comes a little bit unexpectedly, but given that we were so at ease with one another and that I believe both of our games were in terrific shape, it wasn’t much of a surprise that we were successful.” Riley mentioned.
These two players now have the much needed security. Through the conclusion of the 2025 season, both are granted full-field exemption.
They have been given spots in the next PLAYERS Championship, Sentry Tournament of Champions, and PGA Championship.
400 FedExCup points and a $1,242,700 payout will also be awarded to each player.
It’s incredibly wonderful to win on the TOUR in my second year, in the middle of the season, with one of my best friends. We’re hoping it will boost our chances of taking home more titles.” Riley stated on a final note.
