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 the narrowest of margins – a single stroke. Both players missed the cut after the first two rounds, ending their tournament campaign earlier than expected. 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, prompting Lowry to team up with the five‑time major winner Brooks Koepka, fresh off a series of strong performances on the tour. The new pairing got off to a promising start, carding a 66 in the Thursday four‑ball round followed by a 69 in the Friday foursomes. After 36 holes they sat at nine under par, just one shot shy of the cut line, which was set at ten under. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers – Matt and his younger sibling Alex – were making a bold push up the leaderboard.
On Friday they posted a blistering seven‑under‑par 65, propelling them into a shared second‑place position after the first two rounds. Their surge was matched by the American duo of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who kept the top spot after a steady 70 that included back‑to‑back birdies, taking them to 16 under par – a full stroke ahead of the Fitzpatricks and two other teams. Going into the third round, the Fitzpatrick brothers trailed the leaders by six strokes but responded with the day’s lowest round, trimming the gap to a single shot heading into Saturday’s final foursomes. A victory in New Orleans would cap a remarkable few months for the English siblings.
Matt Fitzpatrick had recently vaulted to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and then clinching the RBC Heritage in a dramatic playoff against world No.
1 Scottie Scheffler. Alex, on his part, had broken through earlier in the season by capturing his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March.
Last year the brothers had also competed at the Zurich Classic but fell short, missing the cut by two strokes. This time they were much closer to the summit, sharing second place with Davis Thompson/Austin Eckroat and Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge, all sitting at 15 under par.
English interest remained high with Aaron Rai, paired with American Sahith Theegala, sitting at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge were just one shot behind at 11 under. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based competition.
The format alternates between four‑ball play for the first and third rounds and foursomes for the second and final rounds. In four‑ball, each golfer plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. In the foursomes stage, teammates alternate shots with a single ball, switching tee shots on each hole. After the initial 36 holes, 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 event also featured an increased purse, with tournament organizers boosting the total prize money from $9.2 million to $9.5 million.
The winning pair will split roughly 14.45 percent of that pool, translating to about $1.372 million each. In addition to the financial reward, each player on the victorious team will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are on offer.
The triumph also grants the winners invitations to several marquee events in the 2027 season, including The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as an automatic entry into the Zurich Classic for the following two years. Despite the disappointment for Lowry and Koepka, the tournament delivered plenty of drama and showcased the depth of talent in the field.
The Fitzpatrick brothers, buoyed by recent individual successes, demonstrated why they are regarded as one of the most promising sibling pairings in modern golf. Their continued ascent, combined with strong performances from emerging teams like Smalley/Springer and seasoned veterans such as Horschel/Hoge, ensures that the Zurich Classic will remain a highlight on the PGA Tour calendar.
Fans can follow the action live via PGA Tour streaming services, tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for analysis, or stay updated through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, and expert commentary. For those interested in playing the sport themselves, booking a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland is just a click away, with price‑comparison tools helping golfers find the best deals. Overall, the Zurich Classic once again proved to be a compelling blend of teamwork, strategy, and high‑stakes competition, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion on Saturday as the remaining teams vie for the coveted title and the substantial rewards that accompany it.