The English brothers, 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 performance in the third round. Their combined 57, a tournament‑record low, lifted the pair to a total of 30 under par, catapulting them past the previous leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a 61, as well as fellow Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. At TPC Louisiana the Fitzpatrick brothers demonstrated remarkable synergy, carding thirteen birdies across the round, eight of which came on the back nine. Matt added an eagle on the par‑five seventh hole, further extending their margin.
"Amazing day. Probably not kind of sunk in how well we played today, if I'm honest," Matt said, noting the consistency of hole‑after‑hole excellence. He praised his older sibling, saying, "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 obviously it was nice for him to have such a big impact there on the back nine." Should the brothers convert their lead into a victory, Matt would notch his fifth PGA Tour win and become the first player in more than two years to capture back‑to‑back titles, a feat last achieved by Scottie Scheffler when he won the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage. Alex would secure a two‑year PGA Tour exemption through 2028, along with invitations to the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. The leaderboard after round three showed Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had tied the course record with a 58 in better‑ball on Thursday, slipping to a tie for second after posting a 62.
They were joined in that position by Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang moved into fourth place with a 61, five strokes behind the leaders.
Zach Bauchou recorded the tournament's first hole‑in‑one since 2024 on the par‑three third hole; he and 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 Tom Hoge, leaving them seven strokes behind.
The final round will shift to the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format, where teammates share a single ball and take turns hitting shots. This change adds a strategic layer, as players must decide who tees off on which holes and manage the rhythm of alternating strokes throughout the round.
The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based event. The first and third rounds use a four‑ball format, where each golfer plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. The second and fourth rounds employ the foursomes format described above.
After 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend competition. If teams are still tied after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion.
This year’s tournament carries heightened financial stakes. PGA Tour officials have increased the total purse from $9.2 million (£6.83 million) to $9.5 million (£7.05 million). The winning duo will split roughly 14.45 percent of that pool, translating to an estimated $1.372 million (£1.02 million) per player.
In addition to the monetary reward, each victor earns 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the team event. Beyond the immediate rewards, the champions gain valuable exemptions for the 2027 season, including entry into the prestigious Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as a two‑year exemption to return to the Zurich Classic. These benefits can significantly influence a player's schedule and world‑ranking trajectory.
The event has also generated excitement off the course. Sky Sports, the broadcaster, offers live streaming without a contract, and fans can follow the tournament through various digital platforms, including a dedicated WhatsApp channel for real‑time updates, podcasts, and video highlights. The tournament’s format, combining four‑ball excitement with the strategic nuance of alternate‑shot play, continues to attract both players and viewers who appreciate the collaborative aspect of professional golf. In summary, the Fitzpatrick brothers have positioned themselves at the forefront of a high‑stakes, historically significant competition.
Their record‑setting 57 and subsequent four‑stroke lead set the stage for a dramatic final round where teamwork, strategy, and individual skill will converge to determine whether they can capture the Zurich Classic title and reap the substantial financial and career benefits that accompany a win.