Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, saw their hopes of making the weekend cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans evaporate by a single stroke. The duo, who had teamed up for this year’s team event, posted an opening four‑ball round of 66 on Thursday followed by a 69 in the foursomes on Friday, leaving them nine under par after 36 holes. That left them just one shot shy of the cut line, which was set at ten under. Lowry entered the tournament as a former champion, having won the Zurich Classic two years earlier alongside Rory McIlroy.
This year, McIlroy was absent, prompting Lowry to partner with five‑time major winner Brooks Koepka. Despite the high‑profile pairing, the pair could not sustain the early momentum and ultimately missed the cut. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers—Matt and Alex—were making a strong push up the leaderboard.
On Friday, they recorded a blistering seven‑under 65, catapulting them into a share of second place after the first two rounds. Their performance was matched by the American tandem of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who posted back‑to‑back birdies to finish their round with a 70, moving them to 16 under par and giving them a one‑stroke lead over the Fitzpatricks and two other teams.
Going into the Friday foursomes, Smalley and Springer held a six‑shot advantage over the Fitzpatricks. However, the brothers responded with the lowest round of the day, trimming the deficit to just one stroke heading into Saturday’s final round.
A victory in New Orleans would cap a remarkable few months for Matt Fitzpatrick, who has risen to third in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and the RBC Heritage, where he defeated world number one Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff. Alex Fitzpatrick, too, has been in fine form. He captured his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March, adding to the family’s growing résumé. The Sheffield‑born brothers had attempted the Zurich Classic last year but missed the cut by two strokes, making this year’s strong showing all the more encouraging.
Tied with the Fitzpatricks for second place are Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all sitting at 15 under par. English interest remains high with Aaron Rai, paired with American Sahith Theegala, sitting at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge trail by a single shot at 11 under. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based competition. The format alternates between four‑ball play for the first and third rounds—where each player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team—and foursomes for the second and final rounds, in which teammates alternate shots using a single ball.
After the initial 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend. If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion. This year’s event carries a heightened purse, having been increased from $9.2 million to $9.5 million.
The winning team will split roughly 14.45 percent of that total, translating to about $1.372 million per player. In addition to the financial reward, each member of the victorious duo earns 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded. The champions also secure exemptions into marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as an automatic invitation to the Zurich Classic for the next two years. Beyond the competition itself, the Zurich Classic offers fans a chance to follow the action via streaming services that do not require a contract, as well as podcasts and live coverage on Sky Sports.
For those looking to engage further, Sky Sports maintains a WhatsApp channel delivering the latest sports news, video highlights, and expert analysis. In summary, while Lowry and Koepka’s early exit was disappointing for fans hoping to see the two stars combine for a deep run, the Fitzpatrick brothers have emerged as the tournament’s most compelling storyline.
Their steady ascent up the leaderboard, combined with strong performances from other teams, sets the stage for an exciting final round that could see a new champion crowned and a substantial prize purse redistributed among the top‑performing duos.