Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, the high‑profile duo who entered the Zurich Classic of New Orleans together, were unable to survive the cut, missing it by a single stroke after the first two rounds. Their early exit came despite a promising start that saw them post solid scores in the opening sessions. Lowry, who captured the Zurich Classic title two years earlier alongside Rory McIlroy, was forced to find a new partner this year because McIlroy did not take part. The absence of the Northern Irish star led Lowry to team up with five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka, a partnership that generated considerable excitement among fans and pundits alike.
The pair opened with a 66 in the four‑ball format on Thursday, a round that demonstrated their ability to score low when both players were in sync. They followed that with a 69 in the foursomes on Friday, leaving them nine strokes 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 Alex, were making a strong push up the leaderboard. On Friday, they recorded a seven‑under‑par 65, propelling them into a share of second place after the first two rounds. Their performance was part of a broader narrative that saw the English siblings dominate much of the tournament’s early action. The American pair of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had already established a comfortable lead after a string of birdies, posted a 70 to sit at 16 under par, a full stroke ahead of the Fitzpatricks and two other teams.
Going into the Friday foursomes, the Fitzpatrick brothers trailed the leaders by six shots, but they responded with the day’s lowest round, narrowing the gap to a single stroke heading into Saturday’s decisive round. A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting capstone to an extraordinary few months for Matt Fitzpatrick, who had recently risen to third in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and then prevailing in a dramatic playoff against world number one Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage. Alex Fitzpatrick, too, has been in fine form. He secured his first DP World Tour win at the Hero Indian Open in March, adding to the brothers’ growing résumé.
The Sheffield‑born pair had entered the Zurich Classic last year but fell short, missing the cut by two strokes. This year they were determined to improve, and their steady play kept them firmly in contention. Other teams sharing second place with the Fitzpatricks included Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all posted at 15 under par. English interest remained high with Aaron Rai, paired with American Sahith Theegala, sitting 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—where each player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team—and foursomes for the second and final rounds, where teammates alternate shots with a single ball.
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 determines the champion.
This year’s tournament featured a modest increase in the prize purse, which the PGA Tour raised from $9.2 million to $9.5 million. The winning duo will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total, translating to an estimated $1.372 million each. In addition to the financial reward, the victors each earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are on offer. The triumph also brings valuable exemptions, granting the winners spots in marquee events for the 2027 season, such as The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as automatic entries into the Zurich Classic for the next two years.
While Lowry and Koepka’s hopes were dashed, their early rounds demonstrated why they remain among the sport’s elite. Lowry’s familiarity with the New Orleans course, combined with Koepka’s relentless competitiveness, produced a respectable nine‑under‑par total that fell just short of the cut line. Their experience will likely serve them well in future team events, where chemistry and strategic shot‑making are paramount.
The Fitzpatrick brothers, on the other hand, have turned the Zurich Classic into a showcase of their synergy and individual talent. Matt’s recent ascent in the world rankings and Alex’s breakthrough win on the DP World Tour suggest a bright future for the pair, both as individual competitors and as a team. Their performance in New Orleans adds to a growing list of achievements that could see them become regular fixtures at the top of the team leaderboard in years to come. Overall, the tournament has highlighted the depth of talent on the PGA Tour and the excitement that a team format can generate.
Fans have been treated to a blend of strategic play, dramatic swings in the leaderboard, and the personal stories of players striving to cement their legacies. As the weekend rounds approach, the remaining teams will battle for the coveted title, the substantial purse, and the valuable exemptions that accompany victory at the Zurich Classic.