Alex Smalley, Hayden Springer lead Zurich Classic after opening 58

TL;DR

Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer lead the 2026 Zurich Classic with a stunning 14-under 58 in their opening round. They achieved 12 birdies and an eagle, while Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat follow closely with a 13-under 59.

Key points

Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer lead with 14-under 58
They made 12 birdies and an eagle
Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat follow with 13-under 59
Sam Stevens and Zach Bauchou scored 12-under 60
Event held at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana

Mentioned in this story

TPC LouisianaAvondale, Louisiana

Zurich ClassicAlex SmalleyHayden SpringerDavis Thompson

AVONDALE, La. — The fourth, sixth, ninth, 12th and 14th. It is easier to note which holes Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer didn’t birdie or eagle than it is to go through all the circles on their scorecard from Thursday’s opening round at the 2026 Zurich Classic. The people here in Cajun country love their spicy food, but this duo set TPC Louisiana ablaze with 12 birdies and an eagle on the second hole en route to a 14-under 58 and the early lead.

“Four to finish, can’t complain,” Springer said. “Kind of got the putter going there… then nice to finish off on 18, get that one, take care of the par-5, especially in this format.”

Not far behind, Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat kept pace with a 13-under 59, while Sam Stevens and Zach Bauchou added to the early barrage with a 12-under 60 to position themselves firmly in contention. The latter duo wasted no time getting started, opening birdie-eagle-birdie and closing with four straight birdies to cap a round that rarely lost momentum.

More: 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans leaderboard, live updates, scores

AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 23: Alex Smalley plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2026 at TPC Louisiana on April 23, 2026 in Avondale, Louisiana.

Thompson and Eckroat built their round steadily before catching fire.

“I felt like we kind of eased our way into the round,” Thompson said. “Then we just rode the momentum and made a bunch of birdies and also made a nice eagle on seven.”

Behind them, Sam Stevens and Zach Bauchou posted a 12-under 60, powered by one of the more unusual scorecards of the morning. Bauchou holed three shots from off the green, including a 40-footer, as the longtime friends leaned on familiarity and a freewheeling mindset.