Golf roundup: Alex Smalley, Hayden Springer team up for early lead at Zurich

Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer turned in a 14-under-par 58 on the first day of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, earning a one-shot lead at the PGA Tour's only team event at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La.

More: Our online guide to Metro Detroit-area public golf courses

Smalley's birdie-eagle-birdie start to the round ignited the pair, and Springer closed the day strong, responsible for birdies at Nos. 15-18. They weren't the only team to go low, as Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat are on their tails following a 13-under 59.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans scoreboard

Seventy-four teams entered the unique event, where teams of two play four-ball (best ball) in the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and fourth rounds. The top 33 teams and ties will make the cut after 36 holes.

Hayden Springer tees off on the 13th hole during the first round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament.

Sam Stevens/Zach Bauchou, Nick Dunlap/Gordon Sargent and Eric Cole/Hank Lebioda are tied for third at 12 under. Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge were among a large group tied at 61. Meanwhile, the first-time pairing of Brooks Koepka and Irishman Shane Lowry settled for a 6-under 66, outside the top 50 as play wound down late Thursday.

Thompson and Eckroat pulled off a 10-under-par run in a span of nine holes. Eckroat eagled the par-5 seventh, and the duo combined to birdie each of the next eight.

PGA Tour cutting 4% of workforce

The PGA Tour laid off 56 full-time employees, or about 4% of its total workforce, Sports Business Journal reported Thursday.

An additional 73 vacant roles would not be filled, but the tour plans to reinvest in 30 or more new full-time positions, the report said.

The moves come as the PGA Tour continues to adjust to a for-profit business model, after private equity partner Strategic Sports Group (SSG) invested $1.5 billion into the top golf circuit in 2024.