Matt Fitzpatrick and his younger brother Alex pulled off a dramatic comeback on the back nine to capture a landmark victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a triumph that also grants Alex a two‑year exemption on the PGA Tour. The pair made history as the first set of brothers to win a PGA Tour event, sealing their win with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole to edge out the competition by a single stroke. The birdie not only delivered Matt his third victory of the 2026 season but also cemented the Fitzpatrick name in golf folklore.
Matt, currently ranked third in the world, has enjoyed an extraordinary run over the past few months. After narrowly missing out in a playoff at The Players Championship, he collected titles at the Valspar Championship and the RBC Heritage, and posted a top‑20 finish at The Masters. His recent success makes him the first English golfer to claim three or more PGA Tour wins in a single calendar year, propelling him to the top of the 2026 FedExCup standings.
Alex Fitzpatrick, 27, has also been on an upswing. He captured his maiden DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March, signaling his arrival on the global stage.
The Zurich Classic win instantly grants him a two‑year exemption on the PGA Tour through 2028, as well as invitations to the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. "It hasn't quite 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." The final round was anything but smooth.
After posting a tournament‑record four‑ball score of 57 on Friday, the brothers entered the Sunday showdown with a comfortable three‑under lead through the first 11 holes of the final foursomes. Their momentum stalled when they double‑bogeyed the 12th, and a subsequent bogey on the 14th threatened to unravel their advantage. Matt steadied the ship with a crucial par putt on the 15th, but the pressure remained high.
Meanwhile, the American duo of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, along with Norway's Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura, had already posted a clubhouse total of 30 under par. The Fitzpatricks needed a birdie on the 18th to clinch the title. Alex's second shot on the final hole found a bunker, but Matt's remarkable chip landed within two feet of the pin, setting up an easy tap‑in birdie that secured the win. Reflecting on the round, Matt admitted the challenge: "It was a struggle.
I felt like I wasn't doing much to help Alex, apart from the putt on 15. He was fantastic on the back nine, just like he was yesterday.
I told him to give us a chance at the last hole, and his bunker shot gave me a perfect opportunity to finish it off." The victory carries significant implications for both brothers. For Matt, the win adds a third title to an already impressive season and reinforces his position as a leading contender for the FedExCup and major championships. For Alex, the two‑year PGA Tour exemption provides a valuable platform to compete regularly against the world's best, accelerate his development, and potentially add more PGA Tour victories to his résumé.
Beyond the personal achievements, the Fitzpatrick win highlights the growing international diversity on the PGA Tour, with players from the United Kingdom, Norway, and the United States all contending for top honors. Their success also underscores the importance of teamwork in the Zurich Classic's two‑player format, where chemistry and mutual support can turn a shaky round into a historic triumph. Looking ahead, both brothers will likely focus on maintaining their momentum. Matt's schedule includes several high‑profile events where he will aim to defend his FedExCup lead and chase additional major titles.
Alex, now armed with full PGA Tour status, will target events that suit his game, while also seeking to build on the confidence gained from his first Tour victory. Fans can follow the Fitzpatricks' upcoming tournaments via Sky Sports, which offers live coverage, podcasts, and a dedicated WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, and analysis. The brothers' story—marked by sibling camaraderie, perseverance, and a shared love of the game—offers an inspiring narrative for golf enthusiasts worldwide, and their historic win at the Zurich Classic will be remembered as a milestone in PGA Tour history.