Matt Fitzpatrick and his younger brother Alex pulled off a dramatic comeback on the back nine to capture a landmark victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a triumph that grants Alex a two‑year exemption on the PGA Tour. The pair made history as the first brothers ever to win a PGA Tour event, sealing the win with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole to finish one stroke ahead of the nearest competitors. This marked Matt's third PGA Tour win of the 2026 season.
The world No. 3 has enjoyed an extraordinary stretch in recent months, having narrowly missed a playoff victory at The Players Championship before adding titles at the Valspar Classic and the RBC Heritage, and posting a top‑20 finish at The Masters. His latest triumph also makes him the first English golfer to notch three or more PGA Tour victories in a single calendar year, and it propels him to the top of the 2026 FedExCup leaderboard.
Alex Fitzpatrick has been riding a wave of form himself. Earlier in the year he captured his maiden DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March, signaling his arrival on the global stage. The Zurich Classic win instantly awards the 27‑year‑old a two‑year exemption on the PGA Tour through 2028, as well as invitations to the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. "It hasn't sunk in yet – this is as good as it gets," Alex told Sky Sports' Rich Beem.
"Being out here with Matt, mum and dad, after all the hard work, is unbelievable. I can hardly believe we did it." The brothers' path to the trophy was anything but smooth.
After posting a tournament‑record four‑ball 57 on Friday, they entered the final round with a comfortable three‑under lead through the first 11 holes of the foursomes. However, a double‑bogey on the 12th hole halted their momentum, and a subsequent bogey on the 14th threatened to unravel their advantage. Matt steadied the ship by sinking a vital par putt on the 15th, keeping the pair within striking distance.
Trailing teams—including the American duo of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer and the Norwegian pair of Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura—had already posted a clubhouse total of 30 under par. The Fitzpatricks needed a birdie on the final hole to force a playoff, let alone win outright.
Alex's second shot found a bunker, but Matt's exquisite chip landed just two feet from the hole, setting up an easy tap‑in for the decisive birdie. "It was a struggle," Matt admitted after the round. "I wasn't contributing much for Alex except for that putt on 15. He was fantastic on the back nine, just like yesterday.
I told him to give us a chance at the end, and his bunker shot gave me an easy tap‑in." The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the only team‑based competition. The event uses a hybrid format: the first and third rounds are played as four‑ball, where each player hits their own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team.
The second and final rounds shift to foursomes, a true alternate‑shot format in which teammates share a single ball, alternating tee shots and strokes until the hole is completed. This combination tests both individual skill and partnership chemistry.
For the Fitzpatricks, the blend of four‑ball aggression and foursomes precision proved decisive. Their record‑setting 57 in the opening round demonstrated how low they could go when both players were firing. Yet the pressure of the final round's alternate‑shot format exposed the thin margins that separate victory from defeat.
Their ability to recover from mid‑round setbacks—double‑bogey, bogey, and a bunker mishap—speaks to their mental resilience and the deep trust they share as siblings. Beyond the immediate accolades, the win carries significant career implications.
Alex's two‑year PGA Tour exemption guarantees entry into most regular‑season events through 2028, providing a platform to build his own legacy on the U.S. circuit.
The automatic qualifications for the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship also place him on the grandest stages of professional golf, where strong performances can translate into world‑ranking points, sponsorship opportunities, and further exemptions. Matt, already perched atop the FedExCup standings, adds another valuable FedExCup point haul to his season total, strengthening his bid for the season‑ending prize and enhancing his status for future major invitations. The victory also cements his place in British golf history as the first Englishman to achieve three PGA Tour wins in a single year, a feat previously reserved for a handful of international stars.
The brothers' emotional reaction after the win highlighted the personal side of their achievement. Surrounded by family, they reflected on years of shared practice sessions, countless trips to the driving range, and the support of their parents who have watched their sons evolve from junior competitors to world‑class professionals. Their story resonated with fans worldwide, illustrating how familial bonds can translate into on‑course chemistry. The Zurich Classic will be remembered not only for the historic brotherly triumph but also for the dramatic narrative that unfolded on the final day—a reminder that golf, even in a team format, can produce moments of high drama, resilience, and unforgettable celebration.
The Fitzpatrick brothers have etched their names into the annals of PGA Tour history, and their journey promises to inspire future generations of golfers who dream of sharing the fairway with a sibling.