Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, saw their hopes dashed at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after missing the cut by a single stroke. The duo, who entered the tournament as a high‑profile pairing, could not replicate the success they had hoped for and were eliminated before the weekend rounds began. Lowry, who captured the Zurich Classic title two years earlier alongside Rory McIlroy, found himself without his usual partner this year because McIlroy chose not to compete.
In McIlroy’s absence, Lowry teamed up with five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka, hoping that the combined experience and talent would carry them deep into the event. Their opening day was promising: the pair posted a 66 in the four‑ball format on Thursday, followed by a 69 in the foursomes on Friday, leaving them at nine under par after 36 holes.
Unfortunately, the cut line sat at ten under, leaving them just one shot short of advancing. While Lowry and Koepka faltered, the Fitzpatrick brothers – Matt and the younger Alex – surged up the leaderboard with a spectacular 65 on Friday, putting them at seven under par and sharing second place after the first two rounds.
Their performance was part of a broader narrative that saw the American team of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer maintain the top spot. Smalley and Springer closed their round with a string of birdies, finishing with a 70 that brought their total to 16 under, a full stroke ahead of the Fitzpatrick pair and two other teams. Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick entered Friday’s foursomes trailing Smalley and Springer by six strokes, yet they produced the day’s lowest round, narrowing the gap to just one shot heading into the Saturday competition.
A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting capstone to an extraordinary few months for the Fitzpatrick family. Matt has recently risen to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and defending his title at the RBC Heritage, where he outlasted world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff.
Alex, meanwhile, has been riding a wave of form of his own, having secured his first DP World Tour victory at the Hero Indian Open in March. The brothers had also competed together at the Zurich Classic last year, but fell short, missing the cut by two strokes.
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. Additional English representation comes from Aaron Rai, paired with American Sahith Theegala, who are 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge trail by a single stroke at 11 under. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the only team‑based event. The competition begins with a four‑ball format for the first and third rounds, where each player plays their own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team.
The second and final rounds shift to a foursomes format, requiring teammates to alternate shots with a single ball, alternating tee shots on each hole. After the initial two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion.
This year’s tournament carries even more significance because the PGA Tour has increased the prize purse from $9.2 million to $9.5 million. The winning pair will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total, translating to about $1.372 million each. In addition to the monetary reward, each member of the victorious team will earn 400 FedExCup points, although no Official World Golf Ranking points are on offer. The champions also secure invitations to marquee events for the 2027 season, including The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and they receive an exemption to compete in the Zurich Classic for the next two years.
While the tournament’s outcome remains uncertain, the early rounds have already highlighted the depth of talent on the course and underscored the unpredictable nature of team golf. Lowry and Koepka’s early exit serves as a reminder that even seasoned veterans can be edged out by a single stroke, while the Fitzpatrick brothers’ ascent illustrates how momentum and confidence can quickly reshape the leaderboard.
As the weekend approaches, fans can anticipate a tightly contested finish, with multiple teams within striking distance of the top spot and a substantial prize pool waiting for the eventual winners. For those following the action, live streams of the PGA Tour are available without a contract, and the Sky Sports Golf Podcast offers additional analysis and commentary. Golf enthusiasts can also stay updated on the latest scores, news, and video highlights via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp service, ensuring they never miss a moment of the drama unfolding at the Zurich Classic.