Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, saw their hopes of advancing at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans evaporate by a single stroke, missing the cut after the first two rounds. Their early exit came despite a promising start that had many observers believing they might be in the mix for the weekend. Lowry, who captured the Zurich Classic title two years earlier while paired with Rory McIlroy, entered this edition without his former partner, who opted not to play. Instead, the Irishman teamed up with the five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka, hoping that the combination of Lowry's steady ball‑striking and Koepka's aggressive play would prove lethal.
The duo opened with a solid 66 in the four‑ball format on Thursday, followed by a respectable 69 in the foursomes on Friday. After 36 holes they were sitting at nine under par, just one shot shy of the cut line, which was set at ten under. Their narrow miss was a disappointment, especially given how close they had come to securing a spot in the final rounds.
Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers – Matt and his younger sibling Alex – were making waves. On Friday, the English pair posted a blistering seven‑under 65, propelling them up the leaderboard and into a shared second‑place position after the halfway mark.
Their performance was part of a broader surge that saw several teams clustering near the top of the standings. American teammates Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer maintained their lead with a steady round of 70, highlighted by back‑to‑back birdies that lifted them to 16 under par, a full stroke ahead of the Fitzpatrick brothers and two other pairs.
The Fitzpatricks, who had trailed Smalley and Springer by six shots heading into Friday's foursomes, responded by delivering the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to just one stroke as the tournament moved into Saturday. A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting capstone to an extraordinary few months for the Fitzpatrick family. Matt Fitzpatrick has risen to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and then clinching the RBC Heritage in a dramatic playoff against world No.
1 Scottie Scheffler. Alex, meanwhile, has been on an upward trajectory of his own, securing his first DP World Tour win at the Hero Indian Open in March. The brothers had attempted the Zurich Classic last year but fell short, missing the cut by two strokes, making their current form all the more encouraging.
Joining the Fitzpatricks in the second‑place cluster are Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, each team sitting at 15 under par. English interest remains high with Aaron Rai, paired with American Sahith Theegala, positioned at 12 under, while compatriots Matt Wallace and Marco Penge are just a shot behind at 11 under. The Zurich Classic stands out as the sole team‑based event on the PGA Tour schedule.
The competition employs a four‑ball format for the opening and third rounds, where each player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. The second and final rounds shift to a foursomes format, requiring partners to alternate shots with a single ball, alternating tee shots on each hole. After the first two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend.
If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion. This year’s tournament carries added financial incentive: the prize fund has been increased from $9.2 million to $9.5 million. The winning team will split roughly 14.45 percent of the purse, translating to about $1.372 million per player. In addition to the monetary reward, each member of the victorious duo will earn 400 FedExCup points, although no Official World Golf Ranking points are on offer.
The champions will also secure invitations to marquee events in the 2027 season, including The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and will enjoy an exemption to compete in the Zurich Classic for the next two years. While Lowry and Koepka’s early departure was a let‑down for fans hoping to see a reunion of past champions, the tournament continues to deliver compelling storylines.
The Fitzpatrick brothers are poised to challenge for the title, and the tightly packed leaderboard suggests that the final rounds will be fiercely contested. Golf enthusiasts can follow the action live via the PGA Tour’s streaming platforms, tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for analysis, or stay updated through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, and expert commentary.
The Zurich Classic remains a showcase of teamwork, strategy, and the unpredictable nature of golf, promising an exciting finish as the remaining teams battle for the coveted trophy.