Matt Fitzpatrick and his younger brother Alex pulled off a dramatic comeback on the back nine to capture a landmark triumph at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a victory that also grants Alex a two‑year exemption on the PGA Tour. The pair made history as the first brothers to win a PGA Tour event, sealing the win with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole that gave them a one‑stroke margin and marked Matt's third victory of the 2026 season. The world No. 3 has enjoyed an extraordinary stretch in recent months.
After narrowly missing out in a playoff at The Players Championship, he added wins at the Valspar Championship and the RBC Heritage, and posted a top‑20 finish at The Masters. This latest success makes Matt the first English golfer to claim three or more PGA Tour titles in a single calendar year, and it catapults him to the top of the 2026 FedExCup leaderboard.
Alex Fitzpatrick has also been riding a wave of good form. He captured his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March, signaling his arrival on the global stage.
The Zurich Classic victory instantly awards the 27‑year‑old a two‑year exemption on the PGA Tour through the 2028 season, as well as invitations to the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. "It hasn't sunk in yet – it's as good as it gets," Alex told Sky Sports' Rich Beem.
"Being out here with Matt, mum and dad, after all the hard work, is unbelievable. I still can’t believe we did it." The brothers' path to the title was anything but smooth.
After posting a tournament‑record four‑ball round of 57 on Saturday, they entered the final day with a comfortable three‑under‑par lead through the first 11 holes of the foursomes. However, a double‑bogey on the 12th hole halted their momentum, and a subsequent bogey on the 14th forced them to dig deep.
Matt steadied the ship by sinking a crucial par putt on the 15th, preventing the lead from slipping further. Trailing teams – the American duo of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer and the Norwegian pair of Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura – had already posted a clubhouse total of 30 under par, meaning the Fitzpatricks needed a birdie on the final hole to clinch the championship.
Alex’s second shot found a bunker, but Matt’s remarkable chip landed within two feet of the hole, setting up an easy tap‑in for the winning birdie. Reflecting on the finish, Matt admitted, "It was a struggle. I wasn’t doing much to help Alex, apart from the 15‑foot putt. He was fantastic on the back nine, just like yesterday.
I told him to give us a chance on the last hole, and his bunker shot set us up perfectly." The victory not only adds another trophy to Matt’s growing résumé but also cements the Fitzpatrick brothers as a unique story in golf history. Their win highlights the importance of family support, perseverance, and the ability to rebound from setbacks under pressure.
It also underscores the growing international presence on the PGA Tour, with players from the United Kingdom making significant impacts. Beyond the immediate celebrations, the exemption for Alex opens doors to a broader schedule of elite events, allowing him to test his game against the world’s best on a regular basis.
The two‑year exemption runs through the 2028 season, guaranteeing entry into marquee tournaments and providing a platform to build on his recent DP World Tour success. Fans can follow the Fitzpatricks’ journey through upcoming PGA Tour broadcasts, streaming services, and Sky Sports’ golf coverage, which includes live commentary, podcasts, and behind‑the‑scenes features. The brothers’ story is already inspiring young golfers in the UK and beyond, illustrating that dedication and sibling camaraderie can lead to historic achievements on the sport’s biggest stages. As the 2026 season progresses, all eyes will be on Matt to see if he can maintain his FedExCup lead and add more titles, while Alex will aim to capitalize on his newfound PGA Tour status and continue his upward trajectory.
Their shared victory at the Zurich Classic serves as a reminder that in golf, as in life, perseverance through adversity often yields the most memorable moments. For those interested in experiencing the game firsthand, discounted rates are available for booking rounds at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, making it easier than ever to step onto the same fairways that produced this historic brotherly triumph.