Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, fell just short of the cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, missing it by a single stroke. Their early exit came after a promising start that saw them paired together for the first time this year, following Lowry's previous victory at the event two years ago when he teamed up with Rory McIlroy. This year, McIlroy was absent, prompting Lowry to join forces with the five‑time major champion Koepka. The duo opened the tournament with a solid four‑ball round of 66 on Thursday, then followed it up with a 69 in the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format on Friday.
Those two rounds left them at nine under par after 36 holes, just one shot away from the cut line, which was set at ten under. Despite the strong showing, a final round of 73 pushed them below the required score, and they were eliminated from the weekend competition. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers, Matt and Alex, were making waves on the leaderboard. On Friday, the English siblings posted a blistering seven‑under 65, catapulting them into a share of second place after the first two rounds.
Their surge was matched by the American pair of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who closed their round with consecutive birdies to finish at 70, moving them to 16 under par and giving them a one‑stroke lead over the Fitzpatricks and two other teams. Going into the Friday foursomes, Smalley and Springer held a six‑stroke advantage over the Fitzpatricks.
However, Matt and Alex delivered the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to a single shot heading into the Saturday showdown. A victory in New Orleans would cap an extraordinary few months for the Fitzpatrick family.
Matt, who recently rose to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings, had already secured two PGA Tour titles – the Valspar Championship and the RBC Heritage – the latter of which saw him defeat world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff.
Alex Fitzpatrick, too, has been on an upward trajectory. He captured his first DP World Tour win at the Hero Indian Open in March, confirming his status as a rising talent. The brothers had entered the Zurich Classic last year but missed the cut by two strokes, making this year's performance a marked improvement.
Tied with the Fitzpatricks for second place were Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and 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 only team‑based event. The competition begins with two rounds of four‑ball play, where each player hits his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team.
The final two rounds switch to foursomes, requiring teammates to alternate shots with a single ball, alternating tee shots on each hole. After 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 tournament featured a heightened prize purse, increased by the Tour’s leadership from $9.2 million to $9.5 million. The winning pair will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total, 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. Beyond the immediate benefits, the champions will secure exemptions into several marquee events for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as an automatic invitation to the Zurich Classic for the following two years. While Lowry and Koepka’s early exit was disappointing for fans hoping to see a new partnership flourish, the tournament underscored the depth of talent on the Tour and highlighted the Fitzpatrick brothers’ growing stature in the game. Their continued success, combined with the strong performances of other teams, promises an exciting finish to a week that has already delivered drama, surprise, and a showcase of elite teamwork.
For those following the action, the latest leaderboard can be accessed via the Zurich Classic’s official site, and live streaming of the PGA Tour is available without a contractual commitment. Golf enthusiasts can also tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for in‑depth analysis and stay updated on upcoming broadcast schedules. The event also offers fans practical resources, such as a search tool for booking tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, ensuring that the excitement of professional golf can be experienced on local greens as well.