Sloppy R2 finish gives Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry work to do in Zurich Classic title defence

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry undid plenty of good work with three late bogeys on the last six holes in the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. 

McIlroy and Lowry are looking to become the first team to defend the title in the PGA Tour's lone team event at TPC Louisiana.

But they will need to put their foot on the gas over the weekend if they are to set a record. 

After starting the second round six shots off the pace after an 8-under 64 in Thursday's fourballs, McIlroy and Lowry surged to within two shots of the lead by the time they boarded the 13th tee during Friday's second round foursomes, the tougher of the two formats. 

McIlroy and Lowry were cruising along at 5-under par for the round and looked for all the world they might end up tied for the lead come the end of the day.

But they let things slip badly coming home. 

A bogey on 13 from nowhere at the short par-4 13th was then followed by two late bogeys on the par-3 17th and par-5 18th.

It all added up to a 3-under 69 to leave McIlroy and Lowry at 11-under par and still six shots off the pace heading into the weekend. 

McIlroy, who returned home to Northern Ireland last week following his emotional Masters victory to complete the career grand slam, is battling an illness this week.

Isaiah Salinda & Kevin Velo (69) remain out in front thru 36 holes on 17-under par.

They find themselves one shot clear of an in-form Andrew Novak & Ben Griffin (66). 

Danish twins Nicolai Hojgaard & Rasmus Hojgaard (70) are lurking in third place on 15-under par.

Jacob Bridgeman & Chadler Phillips (68) are in solo fourth on 14-under par, while Japanese duo Ryo Hisatsune & Takumi Kanaya (69) and English pairing David Skinns & Ben Taylor (67) make up the top five on 13-under par. 

All players in the top five teams have yet to register a victory on the PGA Tour, so it could prove to be a career-changing Sunday for two players. 

The winning team not only picks up vital FedEx Cup points and $1.3m each, but a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. 

A total of 36 teams made the halfway cut on 10-under par. 

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