The English pair of brothers, Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick, entered the final day of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a commanding four‑stroke cushion after delivering a historic better‑ball 57 in the third round – the lowest score ever recorded for the format in the tournament's history. Their 15‑under‑par performance on Thursday lifted their combined total to an astonishing 30 under, propelling them past the overnight leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a 61, as well as fellow American teammates Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat.
At TPC Louisiana the Fitzpatrick brothers combined for an impressive 13 birdies, eight of which came on the back nine alone. Matt also added 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 consistency that saw them win hole after hole. He praised his older sibling, noting, "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 capture the title, Matt would notch his fifth PGA Tour victory and become the first player in more than two years to win back‑to‑back events on the Tour – a feat last achieved by Scottie Scheffler, who won the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage.
Alex would secure a two‑year PGA Tour exemption through the 2028 season, along with automatic entries into the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. The competition remains fierce.
Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a course‑record‑tying 58 in better‑ball play on Thursday – a score that held up for 48 hours – shot a 62 on Friday and fell into a tie for second place with Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang posted a 61 to move into fourth, 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, carded a 64 with partner Tom Hoge, leaving them seven strokes behind.
The final round on Sunday will shift to alternate‑shot (foursomes) play, where teammates share a single ball and take turns hitting shots. This format change adds a strategic layer, as players must decide who tees off on which holes and manage the rhythm of alternating strokes. The Zurich Classic stands out as the sole team‑based event on the PGA Tour calendar. 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 final rounds employ the foursomes format, requiring players to alternate shots with one ball, and the cumulative strokes determine the team score for each hole. After the initial 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend competition.
If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff will decide the champion. This year’s prize fund has been increased by the Tour's leadership, rising from $9.2 million (£6.83 million) to $9.5 million (£7.05 million). The winning duo will split roughly 14.45 percent of the purse, which translates to about $1.372 million (£1.02 million) per player.
In addition to the monetary reward, each member of the victorious team will earn 400 FedExCup points, although no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the event. Beyond the immediate financial gain, the champions will secure coveted invitations to several marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship.
They will also enjoy an exemption to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two editions, giving them a chance to defend their title. The atmosphere around the event is electric, with fans and analysts closely watching how the Fitzpatrick brothers manage the pressure of leading a major team competition.
Their remarkable third‑round performance has already entered the record books, and the final round will test their ability to maintain composure under the alternate‑shot format, where every missed putt or errant drive can have amplified consequences. For those interested in following the action, the Zurich Classic leaderboard is updated live on the PGA Tour website, and streaming options are available without a contract. Golf enthusiasts can also catch live coverage on Sky Sports, listen to the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for in‑depth analysis, or stay updated via Sky Sports' WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, and expert commentary. Overall, the Zurich Classic offers a unique blend of teamwork, strategy, and high‑stakes competition that showcases a different side of professional golf.
Whether the Fitzpatrick brothers can convert their historic lead into a victory remains to be seen, but their performance thus far has already left an indelible mark on the tournament's narrative.