2024 Zurich Classic leaderboard, scores: Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry two shots off lead after 54 holes

It will be a sprint to the finish in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon

The 2024 Zurich Classic leaderboard got turned upside down early in Round 3 before a couple of familiar names came roaring down the back nine to put themselves in position to win for the first time at this event. Zac Blair and Patrick Fishburn shot a best-of-the-day 60 on Saturday, leading for the most of Moving Day. They still lead at 23 under entering Sunday's finale at TPC Louisiana. 

While Blair and Fishburn are out in front, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are the pair that rocked the course coming home. After a tepid start, they poured in birdies on six of the final 10 holes with Rory doing, well, pretty much all of the work.

"We got off to a slow start," Lowry told CBS Sports after the round, "and then Rory McIlroy turned up on the 9th hole, and it was all him from then on in. I was just there enjoying the ride."

Everybody at the event was doing the same as McIlroy capped a thrilling final stretch with a near hole-out at the par-5 18th to touch off a 64 in the best ball format, bringing the duo within two shots of the lead.

Let's take a look at the top of this leaderboard and what to expect on Sunday.

The leaders

1. Zac Blair & Patrick Fishburn (-23): Perhaps not the duo anyone expected coming into the week given their recent play, but they were awesome, especially early. They played the first 15 holes in 12 under and needed just one birdie over the final three holes to break 60. The duo parred all three, though, and had to settle for 60 while grabbing the last tee time on Sunday afternoon.

"Any time you get someone that makes six or seven or eight birdies and an eagle, it obviously helps," said Blair, who has known Fishburn since the pair were kids. "I think it's kind of one of those weeks where you're maybe able to stay a little bit looser, especially having a friend as your partner. I think that's kind of really what we've tried to do is just not take it too seriously. We know tomorrow will be a big day, but it's a really cool opportunity for both of us."

Blair and FIshburn have two-year exemptions on the line with a win on Saturday, which for both guys would be massive for the rest of the year.

Other contenders

2. Luke List & Henrik Norlander (-22)
T3. Ryan Brehm & Mark Hubbard (-21)
T3. Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry (-21)
T5. Adam Hadwin & Nick Taylor (-20)

It would be a surprise if the winner came from beyond this group. Obviously, Ryder Cup partners McIlroy and Lowry are the favorites, and they should be after their 70 in alternate shot in Friday's second round. But Lowry did not look great coming down the stretch on Saturday, and with so many teams bunched up near the top, pretty much anything can happen over the final 18 holes.

"Yeah, can't wait," McIlroy said. "I think to make those birdies coming in and to only be two behind, alternate shot is a tough format, and yeah, you want to be within a couple strokes of the lead. I thought it was important to finish the way we did, and yeah, excited to have a chance to win tomorrow."

2024 Zurich Classic updated odds, picks

Odds via Sportsline consensus

• Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry: 13/5
• Zac Blair & Patrick Fishburn: 4-1
• Luke List & Henrik Norlander: 5-1
• Adam Hadwin & Nick Taylor: 9-1
• Ryan Brehm & Mark Hubbard: 11-1

I still love the Canadian duo of Hadwin and Taylor. They are only three back with not a ton of teams in front of them. Taylor and Hadwin are extremely underrated as individuals, and they shot one of the better alternate shot rounds on Friday with a 69. If they do that again, they might end up winning the event.

[Apr 27, 2024 at 5:15 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Rory and Lowry moving

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are making a late move toward the top of the leaderboard. They are currently 7 under through 16 holes and three back of the lead with a par 4 and par 5 upcoming. They probably won't get the lead but they could absolutely get within one or two.

[Apr 27, 2024 at 4:16 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Blair and Fishburn scare 59

Needing just two birdies in their last four holes for 59, Zac Blair and Patrick Fishburn could only muster one. Their 60 has them at the top of the leaderboard, though, and nearly guarantees them one of the final few tee times on Sunday afternoon. 

[Apr 27, 2024 at 2:59 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Blair and Fishburn rolling

Zac Blair and Patrick Fishburn are rolling so far. They went out in 29 and are currently 4 under on the second nine with four holes to go. A real chance at something in the 50s. They need to play the last four in 2 under for a 59 and 3 under for a 58. The last hole of the day is a par 5, too.

[Apr 27, 2024 at 1:41 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Big Drop from Top

Here's something that's unique to this event: The leaders on Friday night -- Davis Thompson and Andrew Novak -- are currently in second to last after playing four holes on Saturday. They played those holes in 1 over, and because it's best ball, scoring is so easy and everyone else has passed them up.