Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, saw their hopes of advancing at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans evaporate by a single stroke after the cut line was reached. Both players, who teamed up for this year’s unique team competition, posted rounds that left them just one shot shy of the required score to continue into the weekend. Lowry, who captured the Zurich Classic title two years prior alongside Rory McIlroy, entered this edition without his former partner, as McIlroy opted out of the tournament.
In McIlroy's absence, Lowry paired with five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka, forming a high‑profile duo that many pundits expected to contend. The partnership began on a promising note, with the pair carding a 66 in the opening four‑ball round on Thursday. The following day’s foursomes round produced a 69, leaving them at nine under par after the first 36 holes.
Unfortunately, the cut line was set at ten under, meaning they missed the weekend by the narrowest of margins. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers—Matt and Alex—were making a strong statement. On Friday they posted a blistering seven‑under‑par 65, propelling them into a shared second‑place position after the halfway point.
Their momentum was further reinforced by the American duo of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who maintained the lead with consecutive birdies to finish their round at 70, taking them to 16 under par—one stroke clear of the Fitzpatricks and two strokes ahead of the next closest teams. Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick had trailed Smalley and Springer by six strokes heading into the Friday foursomes, yet they responded with the day’s lowest round, narrowing the gap to a single shot as the tournament moved toward Saturday.
A victory in New Orleans would provide a fitting climax to an extraordinary few months for the Fitzpatrick family. Matt, who recently surged to third in the Official World Golf Rankings after triumphs at the Valspar Championship and the RBC Heritage—where he outlasted world number one Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff—has been on a remarkable run. Alex, meanwhile, has also been in fine form, securing his first DP World Tour victory at the Hero Indian Open in March. The brothers had attempted the Zurich Classic the previous year but fell short, missing the cut by two strokes.
This time, they are positioned alongside other English contenders such as Aaron Rai, who is paired with American Sahith Theegala and sits at 12 under, and Matt Wallace with Marco Penge, both just one shot behind at 11 under. Other teams tied for second place include Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all sharing a score of 15 under par.
The competition remains tight, and the format of the Zurich Classic adds an extra layer of strategy. The event is the sole team tournament on the PGA Tour schedule, featuring a four‑ball format for the first and third rounds—each golfer plays his own ball, with the lower score on each hole counting toward the team total.
The second and final rounds shift to a foursomes format, where teammates alternate shots using a single ball, and the combined strokes determine the hole score. After the initial 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend rounds.
Should a tie persist after the full 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff will decide the champion. Financial stakes are high this year, as the Tour has increased the purse from $9.2 million to $9.5 million. The winning team will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total, equating to about $1.372 million per player.
In addition to the monetary reward, each member of the victorious duo will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are on offer. The triumph also grants the winners invitations to marquee events in the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as an exemption to compete in the Zurich Classic for the next two editions.
The Zurich Classic’s blend of individual skill and teamwork makes it a compelling showcase for fans and a unique challenge for the competitors. While Lowry and Koepka’s early exit may be disappointing for their supporters, the tournament continues to deliver excitement as the Fitzpatrick brothers and other leading teams vie for the title and the substantial rewards that accompany it.