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 a strong start. Their early performance had shown promise, but the competition proved too fierce, and they were eliminated before the weekend rounds. Lowry entered the tournament as a former champion, having lifted the Zurich Classic trophy two years earlier when he partnered with Rory McIlroy. This year, however, McIlroy was not in the field, prompting Lowry to team up with the five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka.
The pairing seemed promising on paper: Lowry’s consistent ball‑striking combined with Koepka’s power and experience in major championships. Their opening round in the four‑ball format produced a respectable 66, and they followed it with a 69 in the foursomes on Thursday.
After 36 holes they were sitting 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 statement on the leaderboard. On Friday they posted a seven‑under 65, vaulting them into a share of second place after the first two rounds.
The American duo of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had been leading after Thursday, maintained their advantage by closing their round with consecutive birdies to finish at 70, bringing their total to 16 under par. This put them one stroke ahead of the Fitzpatricks and two strokes ahead of the other leading pairs.
Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick were trailing Smalley and Springer by six shots heading into the Friday foursomes, but they responded with the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to a single stroke heading into Saturday’s final round. A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting capstone to what has already been a remarkable few months for the Fitzpatrick family.
Matt, who recently surged 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, is riding a wave of momentum. Alex, the younger brother, has also been in fine form, having captured his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March. The Fitzpatrick brothers had attempted the Zurich Classic last year but missed the cut by two strokes, making this year’s strong showing all the more satisfying. Tied with them for second place were Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, each team sitting at 15 under par.
Additional English interest was represented by Aaron Rai, who partnered with American Sahith Theegala and sat at 12 under, while fellow Englishmen Matt Wallace and Marco Penge were just one shot behind at 11 under. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based event. The format alternates between four‑ball play for the first and third rounds and foursomes for the second and final rounds.
In four‑ball, each golfer 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 one player teeing off on odd‑numbered holes and the other on even‑numbered holes. After the first two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend competition. If the field is still tied after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion.
This year’s tournament carries a larger purse than before, having been increased by the PGA Tour 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 per team, or $686,000 each. In addition to the monetary reward, each member of the victorious team will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the event.
The champions also secure invitations to several marquee tournaments in the 2027 season, including The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and they receive an exemption to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two editions. While Lowry and Koepka’s early exit may be disappointing for their fans, the tournament continues to provide plenty of drama and storylines. The Fitzpatrick brothers are now in a strong position to contend for the title, and the American duo of Smalley and Springer will look to defend their lead.
With the prize money on the line, significant FedExCup points at stake, and the chance to earn spots in future high‑profile events, the final rounds promise intense competition. For those following the action, the latest leaderboard can be accessed through the Zurich Classic’s official site or via sports news outlets. Streaming options for the PGA Tour are available without a contract, and fans can also tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for deeper analysis.
Sky Sports regularly updates its schedule, so viewers can check when live golf coverage will be broadcast. Beyond the tournament itself, golf enthusiasts can explore booking opportunities at over 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland through Sky Sports’ partner platforms. Whether you’re a casual player looking for a weekend round or a dedicated golfer seeking a championship‑grade course, the booking service offers a convenient way to find and reserve tee times. In summary, the Zurich Classic has delivered a mix of surprise eliminations, such as the narrow miss by Lowry and Koepka, and compelling narratives, like the Fitzpatrick brothers’ ascent.
As the weekend approaches, the remaining teams will battle for the sizable purse, valuable FedExCup points, and coveted exemptions to future elite tournaments, ensuring that the climax of the event will be watched closely by fans worldwide.