Golf careers are marathons, not sprints. Both Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo are still early in their professional journeys, learning the brutal lessons the PGA TOUR has to offer
Salinda’s flashes of brilliance suggest a bright future if he can iron out the inconsistencies. Meanwhile, Velo’s struggles are part of the learning curve many talented players face before making their eventual breakthrough.
As the 2025 season progresses, fans should keep an eye on both players — because whether it’s steady growth or a sudden breakthrough, the story is still being written.
With two strong rounds under their belts, Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo have already exceeded expectations. But the ultimate prize is still a couple of rounds away.
Their challenge now will be to stay steady, communicate even more effectively, and continue to rely on the friendship and teamwork that have brought them this far.
Should they lift the trophy on Sunday, it won’t just be a win for their careers — it will be a celebration of everything that makes golf such a uniquely emotional and beautiful sport.
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Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo Take Command at Zurich Classic
At the 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the team format once again brought an exciting twist to professional golf.1
While many anticipated seasoned duos to dominate the leaderboard, it is the young partnership of rookie Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo that has captured everyone’s attention.
After two rounds of play, Salinda and Velo find themselves at the top, showing poise, chemistry, and a bit of playful banter that has only fueled their rise.
A Tournament of Bonds and Teamwork
The Zurich Classic is unlike any other event on the PGA Tour. Instead of battling individually, players team up in pairs, emphasizing camaraderie, communication, and strategy.
Last year, fan-favorite duo Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry clinched the title with their close friendship playing a major role in their victory.
This year, Salinda and Velo are demonstrating that strong personal bonds can once again be a pathway to success.
Isaiah Salinda: Handling Pressure with Humor
Following their impressive second-round performance, Salinda and Velo joined a press conference where they were candid about their on-course dynamic.2
Salinda, with a relaxed demeanor, admitted that while they don’t overtly criticize each other, there’s an unspoken understanding when mistakes happen.
“It’s the same. I’m obviously not going to rip him after he chunks a chip like he did, absolutely duffs one. I’m not going to say anything, but he knows. I don’t have to say anything,” Salinda said, smiling.
This kind of light-hearted acknowledgment of errors has been key to keeping the atmosphere between them loose but focused.
The Motivating Power of Banter
Kevin Velo, building on Salinda’s comments, shared how even the friendly teasing between them fuels better performance.
“There’s that added pressure, honestly, when I know I’m going to get a little banter from him. It honestly fires me up just as much as anybody else. It’s really cool to play with one of your buddies, and to be out here leading is awesome,” said Velo.
Their ability to channel camaraderie into motivation is a testament to their growing maturity as competitors on the big stage.
Mastering the Second Round
Describing their second round, Velo offered valuable insights into their strategy and execution.
“Overall really solid. I think we played really to our strengths today. We both missed a couple short ones that kind of led to our bogeys, but besides that, we played pretty flawless.
We feed off each other really easily, and I know how to club off him, and we’re talking through shots out there, so we know exactly what we’re trying to do, and both of our caddies working together, it seems like a really good team,” he said.
Their second round was a showcase of efficient teamwork, strategic shot selection, and effective communication between players and caddies.
Isaiah Salinda and Velo’s Chemistry
A Formula for Success
What’s evident from their performance and their interviews is that Salinda and Velo have an incredible synergy.3
Their friendship goes beyond just being teammates for the week; it is rooted in a genuine connection, trust, and the ability to lift each other up even in pressure-filled moments.
Unlike many rookies who often get overwhelmed in such situations, Salinda and Velo seem to thrive under the spotlight.
Following in the Footsteps of Legends
Winning the Zurich Classic would be a major milestone for the duo, but it would also put them in the company of some elite pairings.
With previous champions like McIlroy and Lowry showcasing the power of friendship in golf, Salinda and Velo have a golden opportunity to carve their names into history in similar fashion.
Their performance is also a refreshing reminder of the new wave of players coming up who combine elite skill with a fresh, dynamic energy.
Despite their strong showing, both players are humble and aware of the need for continued focus. They know golf is a game where momentum can shift in a heartbeat. A missed putt here or an errant drive there can easily turn a tournament around.
However, Salinda and Velo’s approach of constant communication, mutual support, and honest feedback positions them well to weather whatever challenges the remaining rounds bring.
Saturday’s Key Tee Time
The duo is set to tee off for the third round at 12:45 PM ET. It will be a pivotal moment in the tournament as they try to maintain their momentum against some of the best players in the world.
Eyes will be on them to see if their youthful energy and team chemistry can continue to outshine more experienced rivals.
As they head into the weekend rounds, their relaxed yet focused attitude could make all the difference.
The Zurich Classic stands out because it highlights aspects of golf that often go unnoticed in individual events: teamwork, emotional resilience, and trust.
Watching teams like Salinda and Velo thrive reminds fans that golf, though often portrayed as a solitary battle, can also be about partnership and mutual success.
Their story adds to the charm and growing appeal of the Zurich Classic format, showing just how much fun — and drama — true teamwork can create on the course.
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Isaiah Salinda: Who Is He?
Promising Talent on the Rise
Isaiah Salinda’s 2025 season reflects the journey of a player gradually finding his footing on golf’s biggest stage.
His performances have oscillated between flashes of brilliance and some struggles to maintain consistency.
Salinda’s top highlight came at the Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta, where he delivered a stellar performance.
Shooting rounds of 65, 67, 68, and 65, he finished with a score of 265 (-19) to secure a T3 finish — his best on the PGA TOUR to date.
Salinda’s Tournament-by-Tournament Breakdown
A closer look at Salinda’s tournament performances paints a clear picture of his season’s trajectory:
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Sony Open in Hawaii: Missed cut (72-68, E)
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The American Express: Missed cut (67-68-74, -7)
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Farmers Insurance Open: T42 (68-75-75-73, +3)
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Mexico Open: T3 (65-67-68-65, -19)
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Cognizant Classic: T39 (68-69-69-69, -9)
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Arnold Palmer Invitational: T45 (77-71-72-73, +5)
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THE PLAYERS Championship: T68 (69-71-78-78, +8)
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Texas Children’s Houston Open: T11 (69-66-66-67, -12)
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Valero Texas Open: Missed cut (70-75, +1)
Salinda’s success at the Mexico Open and strong performance at the Houston Open showcase his potential.
However, his missed cuts at events like the Sony Open and the Valero Texas Open indicate areas where further improvement is needed.
What the Numbers Reveal About Isaiah Salinda?
One consistent pattern in Salinda’s season has been his ability to score low when in rhythm.
His rounds at the Mexico Open demonstrate his capability to go deep under par. But inconsistency in tougher tournaments like THE PLAYERS Championship shows that handling pressure against elite fields remains a learning curve.
His missed cuts have largely come when he struggled with course conditions or couldn’t maintain momentum over four rounds.
Salinda’s putting has been hot and cold, and his approach shots, while sometimes brilliant, have occasionally led to costly bogeys.
On the other end of the spectrum is Kevin Velo, who has faced a much tougher road in the 2025 season. Velo has struggled to make cuts, missing the weekend action in eight out of ten PGA TOUR events he entered so far.
His best showing was a T40 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, followed by a T57 at THE PLAYERS Championship. Velo’s persistent battle with consistency has been the defining narrative of his season.
Velo’s Tournament-by-Tournament Recap
Here’s how Velo’s 2025 PGA TOUR season has unfolded:
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Sony Open in Hawaii: Missed cut
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The American Express: Missed cut
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Farmers Insurance Open: Missed cut
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Mexico Open: Missed cut
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Cognizant Classic: Missed cut
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Arnold Palmer Invitational: T40
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THE PLAYERS Championship: T57
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Texas Children’s Houston Open: Missed cut
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Valero Texas Open: Missed cut
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Corales Puntacana Championship: Missed cut
Unfortunately, with only two cuts made out of ten tournaments, Velo’s season has been characterized by missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.
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Salinda vs. Velo: A Tale of Two Seasons
While both players are young and relatively new to the PGA TOUR grind, their 2025 seasons illustrate contrasting journeys. Isaiah Salinda has shown the potential to contend, especially in tournaments that favor aggressive play.
Meanwhile, Kevin Velo is still searching for the consistency required to stay competitive.
The key difference has been how each player capitalizes on opportunities. Salinda has seized moments when his game clicked, posting low scores and top finishes. Velo, despite showing flashes of talent, has struggled to string together complete tournaments.
Predictions for the Rest of the 2025 Season
Looking ahead, Isaiah Salinda could realistically aim for another top 10 or two before the season ends. If he continues to sharpen his short game and maintain his aggressive mindset, a victory isn’t out of the question.
Kevin Velo, on the other hand, will likely prioritize incremental improvements — making cuts, building positive momentum, and gaining experience.
His focus might not be on winning immediately, but rather on establishing a stable foundation for future seasons.
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