Novak and Griffin tied for the best round of Friday with a 6-under 66 to vault into a share of the lead. For Novak, it's a continuation of the best stretch of his career as he's coming off of a runner-up at the RBC Heritage. He seems to be carrying that positive momentum into this week.

Back-to-back bogeys on the final holes leave defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry with work to do into the weekend at TPC Louisiana; watch the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orle

Rory McIlroy, playing for the first time since winning the Masters, teamed with Shane Lowry to shoot an 8-under 64 in better-play Thursday in the Zurich Classic, leaving the Irish defending champions six shots behind leaders Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Vetlo.