Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, were unable to survive the cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, missing it by a single stroke after the first two rounds. Their early exit came despite a promising start that had them within striking distance of the leaders.
Lowry entered the event as a former champion, having lifted the trophy two years earlier when he paired with Rory McIlroy. This year, however, McIlroy was absent, prompting Lowry to join forces with five‑time major winner Brooks Koepka.
The partnership showed flashes of brilliance, posting a 66 in the Thursday four‑ball round and following it with a solid 69 in the Friday foursomes. After 36 holes the duo sat at nine under par, just one shot shy of the cut line, which was set at ten under. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers – Matt and Alex – were making a strong push up the leaderboard.
On Friday they carded a seven‑under 65, catapulting them into a share of second place after the first two rounds. Their performance was complemented by the American team of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who maintained their lead with a round of 70 that featured back‑to‑back birdies, moving them to 16 under par and giving them a one‑stroke cushion over the Fitzpatrick pair and two other contending teams.
Going into the third round, the Fitzpatricks were six shots behind the leaders but responded with the lowest round of the day, trimming the deficit to a single stroke heading into Saturday’s final foursomes. A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting climax to an extraordinary few months for the English brothers.
Matt Fitzpatrick has climbed to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and then the RBC Heritage, where he outlasted world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff.
Alex, meanwhile, secured his first DP World Tour victory at the Hero Indian Open in March and is eager to add a PGA Tour team title to his résumé. The leaderboard after 36 holes also featured Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all tied with the Fitzpatricks at 15 under.
Englishman Aaron Rai, paired with American Sahith Theegala, sat at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge were just one shot further back at 11 under. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based competition. The format alternates between four‑ball play on Thursday and Saturday and foursomes on Friday and Sunday.
In four‑ball, each player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. In foursomes, teammates share a single ball and alternate shots, with the combined total determining the team’s score for the hole. After the first two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend rounds.
If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff decides the champion. This year’s event carries a heightened prize pool. The tournament organizers have increased the total purse from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, translating to a larger share for the winning pair – roughly $1.372 million, or about 14.45 % of the total purse. Each member of the victorious team will also earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for this event.
Beyond the immediate financial reward, the champions secure valuable exemptions for the 2027 season, including automatic entries into The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as a two‑year invitation to return to the Zurich Classic. While Lowry and Koepka’s campaign ended earlier than hoped, their early rounds demonstrated that they can still compete at a high level when paired together. The Fitzpatrick brothers, on the other hand, continue to build momentum and could be in a strong position to claim the title, especially if they maintain the consistency they have shown over the past few weeks.
Fans can follow the action live through various streaming platforms that offer PGA Tour coverage without a contract, and Sky Sports provides additional content such as podcasts and schedule information for those wanting to keep up with the tournament. For more detailed updates, the latest leaderboard is available via external links, and Sky Sports also offers a WhatsApp service for real‑time news, video highlights, and expert analysis. Overall, the Zurich Classic remains a showcase of teamwork and strategy on the PGA Tour, offering players a chance to compete alongside a partner rather than alone. With the prize money on the rise and the added incentives of future exemptions, the event continues to attract top talent and generate excitement among golf enthusiasts worldwide.