Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, the headline‑grabbing duo, were unable to survive the cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, missing it by a single stroke. Their exit came after a promising start, but the competition proved too stiff to keep them in the tournament over the weekend. Lowry entered the event as a former champion, having lifted the Zurich Classic trophy two years earlier when he partnered with Rory McIlroy. This year, however, McIlroy was absent, opening the door for Lowry to team up with five‑time major winner Brooks Koepka.
The new pairing began the tournament on a high note, posting a 66 in the opening four‑ball round on Thursday. They followed that with a solid 69 in the foursomes format on Friday, leaving them nine under par after the halfway point. Despite the strong showing, the cut line was set at ten under, leaving the Lowry‑Koepka team just one shot short of advancing.
Meanwhile, English brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick were making a serious push up the leaderboard. On Friday, the siblings each carded a seven‑under 65, catapulting them into a share of second place after the first 36 holes. Their momentum was further reinforced by the American pairing of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who maintained the lead with a round of 70 that featured back‑to‑back birdies, moving them to 16 under par—one stroke ahead of the Fitzpatrick brothers and two strokes ahead of the next closest teams. Going into the Friday foursomes, the Fitzpatrick duo trailed Smalley and Springer by six strokes, but they responded with the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to a single shot heading into Saturday’s final round.
A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting climax to what has already been a remarkable few months for the Fitzpatrick family. Matt Fitzpatrick recently rose to third in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and then clinching the RBC Heritage in a dramatic playoff against world number one Scottie Scheffler.
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 brothers’ growing résumé.
The Sheffield‑born siblings first competed together at the Zurich Classic last year but fell short, missing the cut by two strokes. This year, they are back with renewed purpose and are currently tied for second place alongside Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all sitting at 15 under par.
Other English representatives are also in the mix. Aaron Rai, paired with American Sahith Theegala, sits at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge are just one shot behind at 11 under. The field is packed with talent, and the Zurich Classic’s unique team format adds an extra layer of strategy and excitement. The Zurich Classic stands alone on the PGA Tour calendar as the only team‑based event.
The competition begins with two rounds of four‑ball, where each player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. The third and fourth rounds shift to a foursomes format, requiring partners to alternate shots with a single ball, alternating tee shots on each hole.
After the first two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend rounds. If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion. This year’s tournament carries increased financial stakes. The PGA Tour has boosted the prize fund from $9.2 million to $9.5 million.
The winning team will split roughly 14.45 percent of the purse, translating to about $1.372 million to be divided between the two players. In addition to the monetary reward, each winner will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the event. Beyond the immediate rewards, the victorious duo will also secure invitations to several marquee tournaments in the 2027 season, including The Players Championship and the PGA Championship. They will also enjoy an exemption to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two years, giving them a chance to defend their title.
While Lowry and Koepka’s early exit is disappointing for fans of the two stars, the Fitzpatrick brothers’ strong performance underscores the depth of talent on the course. Their continued success, combined with the high‑stakes format and elevated purse, makes the Zurich Classic a compelling watch for golf enthusiasts worldwide. The final round promises to be a thrilling showdown as teams vie for the coveted trophy, the sizable payday, and the valuable FedExCup points that could shape the rest of the season.