PGA Tour rookie Isaiah Salinda shot a 14-under 58 to set a new tournament record at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Partnering with Kevin Velo, the American rookies combined for an impressive eagle and 12 birdies. However, Salinda was the one who caught the eye with his remarkable eagle on the par-5 seventh as the pair raced to a one-shot lead after the first round.
Impressive Salinda Sets New Tournament Record
Salinda had eight birdies and an eagle as he combined with fellow rookie Velo, who made five birdies in the first nine holes, to fire a four-ball record 14-under 58 and set a new tournament record. They beat the previous record of 59, set in the 2022 opening round by fellow Americans Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. The record of 59 was later matched by Danish twin brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard on Thursday, who carded a 13-under 59.
Salinda earned his first ever PGA Tour card when he finished No. 18 on the season-long standings of the Korn Ferry Tour last year. The 28-year-old earned one of the 30 available Tour cards to mark one of his biggest accomplishments so far.
How Salinda Rose To Tournament Record Breaker
New Zurich Classic record-breaker Isaiah Salinda was widely regarded as a top prospect when he turned pro in 2019. However, Q-School struggles and the COVID-19 lockdown meant it took some time before he could make a PGA Tour appearance. Nevertheless, he overcame those challenges to win the Korn Ferry Tour’s 2024 Panama Championship by eight strokes, in what is probably his best pro season so far.
The 28-year-old also finished third in just his fourth start as a PGA Tour member at the Mexico Open at Vidanta last month. He also featured at the Texas Children’s Houston Open 2025 where he shot 12-under to tie for 11th place with Lee Hodges and Stephan Jaeger.
Salinda has faced some health challenges before and after turning pro. His appendicitis was recorded a few weeks before his 2024 Panama Championship victory. As an incoming freshman at Stanford, he was hitting wiffle balls around his joke with a plastic club as an incoming freshman at Stanford after receiving some heartbreaking news regarding his health.
The rookie was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after a routine physical as a student-athlete. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, which can obstruct blood flow and interfere with the heart’s pumping function.
Salinda doesn’t speak publicly about his health condition; however, the rookie appears to have put all challenges behind him as he continues to push for more honors and recognition in the golfing world. He and his partner will hope they can hold on until the finish line after storming into a record-breaking lead at the Zurich Classic.
Main Photo Credit: © Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
