The English brothers, Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick, entered the final day of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a commanding four‑stroke cushion after delivering a historic better‑ball round of 57, the lowest ever recorded in the tournament. Their performance, which saw the pair finish the third round at 30 under par, catapulted them past the previous leaders, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a 61, as well as fellow Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. At TPC Louisiana the Fitzpatrick brothers combined for an astonishing 13 birdies, eight of which came on the back nine alone. Matt also added an eagle on the par‑five seventh hole, further extending their lead.
"Amazing day. Probably not kind of sunk in how well we played today, if I'm honest," Matt said after the round. "It was just hole after hole." Alex praised his younger sibling, noting the rapid improvement in Matt's game over the past few months.
"He played brilliant golf both last two days," Alex remarked, referencing Matt's recent victory at the Indian Open. "His game has really turned a corner these last few months, and I believe in him to continue that trend.
He's doing all the right things and obviously it was nice for him to have such a big impact there on the back nine." If the brothers can convert their lead into a win, Matt would notch his fifth PGA Tour title and become the first player in more than two years to capture back‑to‑back victories on the Tour, a feat last achieved by Scottie Scheffler, who won the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage. In addition, Alex would secure a two‑year PGA Tour exemption through 2028, as well as entry into the next four signature events, including the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. Meanwhile, the competition remained fierce.
Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had tied the course record with a 58 in better‑ball play on Thursday, posted a 62 on Saturday and fell into a tie for second place with Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang recorded a 61 to sit in fourth, five strokes behind the leaders. Zach Bauchou made the tournament's first hole‑in‑one since 2024 on the par‑three third hole; he and partner Sam Stevens closed with a 64, eight shots back.
Veteran Billy Horschel, the only player to have won the Zurich Classic both as an individual and in the team format, teamed with Tom Hoge for a 64, leaving them seven strokes behind. The final round will shift to the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format, where teammates share a single ball and take turns hitting shots. This change often tests the chemistry and strategy of pairs, as they must decide which player tees off on odd versus even holes and manage the rhythm of alternating strokes throughout the round.
The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based event. The first and third rounds use a four‑ball format, where each player plays their own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. The second and final rounds adopt the foursomes format, demanding precise coordination and mutual trust. After 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend competition.
Should a tie persist after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff will determine the champion. Financial stakes are high this year.
Tour officials have increased the purse from $9.2 million (£6.83 million) to $9.5 million (£7.05 million). The victorious duo will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total, translating to about $1.372 million (£1.02 million) each. In addition to the monetary reward, each player will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the event.
Beyond the immediate rewards, the winning team secures coveted exemptions into several marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship. They also lock in a two‑year invitation to return to the Zurich Classic, ensuring they can defend their title.
The tournament has already produced several memorable moments. In addition to the Fitzpatricks' record‑breaking 57, Zach Bauchou's ace on the third hole highlighted the week’s excitement. The event also showcases the strategic depth of team golf, as players must balance aggression with consistency across both formats. Fans can follow the action through various channels, including live streams of the PGA Tour, Sky Sports coverage, and the Sky Sports Golf Podcast.
For those looking to experience the course themselves, TPC Louisiana offers a chance to play on a venue that has hosted some of the most dramatic finishes in recent PGA Tour history. As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on the Fitzpatrick brothers to see if they can maintain their momentum and claim the title. Their blend of youthful vigor and seasoned skill, combined with the pressure of a historic round, sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to one of the Tour's most distinctive events.