Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, the headline‑grabbing duo for this year’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, saw their tournament hopes evaporate after missing the cut by a single stroke. Their elimination came after a promising start, but the pair could not sustain the momentum needed to stay in the competition over the first two rounds. Lowry entered the event as a former champion, having lifted the Zurich Classic trophy two years earlier when he partnered with Rory McIlroy.
This year, however, McIlroy was absent, prompting Lowry to join forces with five‑time major winner Brooks Koepka. The new pairing began strongly, carding a 66 in the Thursday four‑ball round and following it up with a 69 in the Friday foursomes.
Those scores left them at nine under par after 36 holes, just one shot shy of the cut line, which was set at ten under. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers – Matt and his younger sibling Alex – were making a surge of their own. On Friday, they posted a remarkable seven‑under‑par 65, propelling them into a share of second place after the halfway point.
Their performance was bolstered by the American team of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who maintained the lead with a steady 70 that took them to 16 under par, a full stroke ahead of the Fitzpatricks and two other pairs. Going into the final day’s foursomes, Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick trailed Smalley and Springer by six shots. The brothers answered with the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to just one stroke heading into Saturday’s decisive round.
A victory in New Orleans would have capped an extraordinary few months for the Fitzpatrick family. Matt had recently vaulted to third in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and then clinching the RBC Heritage in a dramatic playoff against world‑number‑one Scottie Scheffler. Alex Fitzpatrick, too, was riding a wave of form. He secured his first DP World Tour victory at the Hero Indian Open in March, adding to the brothers’ growing résumé.
The Sheffield‑born duo had competed in the Zurich Classic the previous year but missed the cut by two strokes, making their 2024 run all the more encouraging. Other teams tied with the Fitzpatricks for second place included Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel paired with Tom Hoge, each sitting at 15 under par. English interest remained high with Aaron Rai, teamed with American Sahith Theegala, positioned at 12 under, while compatriots Matt Wallace and Marco Penge were just a shot behind at 11 under. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based event.
The competition format alternates between four‑ball play for the first and third rounds and foursomes for the second and final rounds. 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, alternating shots and teeing off on alternate holes, with the total strokes determining the team’s score for each hole.
After the initial two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend stages. If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff decides the champion. This year’s tournament featured an increased purse, up from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, reflecting the PGA Tour’s desire to elevate the event’s prestige. The winning pair will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total purse, translating to an estimated $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 awarded. Beyond the immediate prize, the champions gain entry into several marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including The Players Championship and the PGA Championship. They also secure an exemption to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two years, providing a valuable opportunity to defend their title.
While Lowry and Koepka’s early exit was disappointing for fans hoping to see a new champion emerge from their collaboration, the Fitzpatrick brothers’ continued contention underscored the depth of talent on the course. Their strong play, combined with the steady performances of teams like Smalley/Springer and the English contingents, set the stage for an exciting final round that promised to keep spectators on the edge of their seats. For those following the tournament, the latest leaderboard can be accessed via the Zurich Classic’s official site, and live coverage is available through various streaming platforms. Golf enthusiasts can also tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for in‑depth analysis and commentary, and stay updated on match times through Sky Sports’ broadcast schedule.
Overall, the Zurich Classic continues to showcase the unique dynamics of team golf on the PGA Tour, offering players a chance to blend individual skill with collaborative strategy. While the cut proved unforgiving for Lowry and Koepka, the event’s competitive spirit and the rising fortunes of the Fitzpatrick brothers provided plenty of drama and excitement for fans worldwide.