The English duo of Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick entered the final day of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans with a commanding four‑stroke advantage after delivering a historic better‑ball round of 57, the lowest ever recorded in the tournament. Their 15‑under‑par performance lifted the pair to a cumulative 30‑under‑par, propelling them past the previous leaders, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a 61, as well as fellow American teammates Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. During the third round at TPC Louisiana, the brothers combined for an astonishing 13 birdies, eight of which came on the back nine, and Matt added an eagle on the par‑five seventh hole. The flawless display of teamwork and individual skill left spectators and commentators alike in awe of their consistency and shot‑making ability.
Matt Fitzpatrick reflected on the day’s achievement, saying, "Amazing day. It probably hasn’t fully sunk in how well we played today, if I'm honest. It was just hole after hole of great golf." He also praised his older brother, noting, "He played brilliant golf both last two days. 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 it was nice for him to have such a big impact on the back nine." If the Fitzpatrick brothers can close out the tournament with a victory, Matt would notch his fifth PGA Tour win and would become the first player in more than two years to capture back‑to‑back titles, a feat last accomplished by Scottie Scheffler, who won the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage. Alex would secure a two‑year PGA Tour exemption through the 2028 season, along with invitations to the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship, and the 2027 Players Championship. Meanwhile, the competition remained fierce. Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a course‑record‑tying 58 in the better‑ball format on Thursday—a score that held for 48 hours—recorded a 62 in the third round, dropping them into a tie for second place alongside Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat.
Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang posted 61 to move into fourth, five strokes behind the leaders. Notable moments included Zach Bauchou’s first hole‑in‑one of the event on the par‑three third hole, a milestone not seen since 2024.
Bauchou and his partner Sam Stevens finished with a 64, eight shots back. Veteran Billy Horschel, the only player to have won the Zurich Classic both as an individual and as part of a team, shot a 64 with partner Tom Hoge, leaving them seven shots behind the Fitzpatricks.
The final round will shift to the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format, where each team will play a single ball, alternating shots throughout the hole. This change tests the pair’s chemistry and strategic planning, as the lowest aggregate score on each hole determines the team’s standing. The Zurich Classic stands out as the PGA Tour’s sole team‑based competition, featuring four‑ball play in the opening and third rounds, followed by foursomes in the second and final rounds.
After 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend. Should a tie persist after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff will decide the champion. Financial stakes are high this year, with the tournament purse increased 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 purse, translating to about $1.372 million (£1.02 million) per player.
In addition, each winner will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the event. Beyond the immediate rewards, the champions will secure entry into several marquee events for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as an exemption to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two years. The tournament’s unique format and substantial prize pool have attracted considerable attention from fans and media alike. Sky Sports, for example, offers live coverage, podcasts, and a dedicated WhatsApp channel for updates, while the PGA Tour’s streaming service provides contract‑free access to the action.
Overall, the Fitzpatrick brothers’ remarkable third‑round performance has set the stage for an exciting finale. Their blend of aggressive play, strategic shot selection, and mutual confidence positions them as the team to beat, while the rest of the field looks to capitalize on any missteps in the demanding alternate‑shot format. As the final round approaches, golf enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely to see if the brothers can convert their historic lead into a tournament victory, adding another chapter to the growing legacy of sibling success on the professional golf stage.