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 a solid but insufficient performance. Their early exit came despite a strong start and a partnership that promised excitement, especially given Lowry's previous triumph at the event two years earlier when he paired with Rory McIlroy.
This year, with McIlroy absent, Lowry teamed up with five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka, hoping to replicate past success. The duo opened the tournament with a respectable 66 in the Thursday four‑ball round, followed by a 69 in the Friday foursomes. Those scores left them at nine under par after the halfway point, just one shot shy of the 10‑under cut line that would have secured a place in the weekend rounds. Their narrow miss underscored how competitive the Zurich Classic can be, especially in a format that blends individual skill with team strategy.
Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers – Matt and the younger Alex – were making a strong statement. On Friday, they posted a seven‑under‑par 65, catapulting them up the leaderboard and into a tie for second place after 36 holes. Their performance was bolstered by the American pairing of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who maintained the top spot with a round of 70 that featured consecutive birdies, taking them to 16 under par – a full stroke ahead of the Fitzpatricks and two other leading teams. Going into the third round, the Fitzpatrick brothers were six shots behind Smalley and Springer.
However, they responded with the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to just one stroke and setting up a tense showdown for Saturday. A victory in New Orleans would serve as a fitting capstone to what has already been a remarkable few months for Matt Fitzpatrick. He recently ascended to third in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and clinching the RBC Heritage in a dramatic playoff against world‑number‑one Scottie Scheffler.
Alex Fitzpatrick, too, has been on an upward trajectory. He captured his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March, signaling his growing confidence on the international stage. The brothers had entered the Zurich Classic last year but fell short, missing the cut by two strokes. This time, their improved play and familiarity with the team format gave them a realistic shot at the title.
Other notable teams tied for second place included Davis Thompson with Austin Eckroat, and the pairing of Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all sitting at 15 under par. English representation was also strong: Aaron Rai, partnered with American Sahith Theegala, sat at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge were just one shot behind at 11 under.
The Zurich Classic remains the PGA Tour’s sole team event, featuring a hybrid format that tests both individual skill and collaborative tactics. The first and third rounds are played as four‑ball, where each player hits their own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. The second and final rounds shift to foursomes, a true alternate‑shot format where teammates share a single ball, taking turns to tee off and play subsequent strokes. After the initial two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend competition.
In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion. Financial stakes are high this year, as PGA Tour officials have increased the purse 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 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 on offer for this event. Beyond the immediate prize, the champions earn coveted exemptions into several marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including The Players Championship and the PGA Championship.
They also secure automatic entry into the Zurich Classic for the next two editions, providing a valuable opportunity to defend their title. The tournament’s unique blend of competition, camaraderie, and high stakes continues to attract top talent, and the dramatic swings in fortune – exemplified by Lowry and Koepka’s narrow miss and the Fitzpatrick brothers’ surge – illustrate why the Zurich Classic remains a highlight on the PGA Tour calendar. As the weekend unfolds, golf fans will be watching closely to see which duo can navigate the demanding format and emerge as the champions of New Orleans.