The twin 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 round of 57, the lowest ever recorded in the tournament. Their 15‑under‑par performance vaulted the English duo to a total of 30 under par, eclipsing the previous leaders, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a 61, as well as fellow Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat.
During the third round at TPC Louisiana, the Fitzpatrick pair combined for an astonishing 13 birdies, eight of which came on the back nine. Matt also contributed an eagle on the par‑five seventh hole, further extending their lead.
"Amazing day. Probably not kind of sunk in how well we played today, if I'm honest," Matt said, reflecting on the seamless string of holes where they seemed to find the pin repeatedly. He added, "He played brilliant golf both last two days," praising his older brother's consistency and noting that Matt's game has "really turned a corner" in recent months. If the brothers can seal the victory, Matt would notch his fifth PGA Tour win and become the first player in more than two years to claim back‑to‑back titles on the tour—a feat last achieved by Scottie Scheffler, who won the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage.
Alex would also reap significant benefits, securing a two‑year exemption on the PGA Tour through 2028, along with invitations to the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. Meanwhile, the previous leaders, Smalley and Springer, who had tied the course record with a 58 in better‑ball play on Thursday, posted a 62 on Saturday and fell into a tie for second place with Thompson and Eckroat.
Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang recorded 61s to move into fourth, five shots behind the Fitzpatricks. Zach Bauchou made 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 strokes 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 shots behind the leaders. The final round will shift to an alternate‑shot (foursomes) format, where teammates share a single ball and take turns hitting shots.
This change tests teamwork and strategy, as each player must adapt to the other's rhythm and shot selection. After 72 holes, if a tie remains, a sudden‑death playoff will determine the champion. The Zurich Classic stands out as the sole team event on the PGA Tour calendar.
The first and third rounds use the four‑ball format—each player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. The second and final rounds adopt the foursomes format, requiring players to alternate shots with one ball, alternating tee shots on each hole. The top 33 teams and ties after the first two rounds advance to the weekend competition. This year, the tournament's purse has been increased from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, reflecting the PGA Tour's commitment to rewarding team play.
The winning pair will split approximately 14.45 percent of the purse—about $1.372 million each—plus each player will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the event. In addition to the monetary reward, the champions gain entry to several premier events for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and they secure an exemption to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two years. The Fitzpatrick brothers' performance not only highlighted their individual skill but also underscored the unique dynamics of team golf.
Their ability to complement each other's strengths—Alex's steady precision and Matt's aggressive scoring—proved decisive in navigating the challenging layout of TPC Louisiana. Their synergy was evident on the back nine, where they rattled off eight birdies, turning what could have been a routine round into a record‑breaking display. Looking ahead, the final round promises tension as the format switches to alternate shot, demanding seamless coordination. The brothers will need to maintain their composure and adapt to the shared ball, ensuring that each shot aligns with their combined strategy.
If they can translate the dominance of their four‑ball round into the more restrictive foursomes format, they stand a strong chance of clinching the title and cementing their status as one of the most successful sibling pairings in modern golf. Fans can follow the live leaderboard, stream the tournament, and stay updated through Sky Sports' coverage, including podcasts and social media channels. The Zurich Classic continues to attract attention not only for its sizable purse but also for the opportunity it offers players to experience a different style of competition within the PGA Tour framework, blending individual excellence with collaborative effort.