The Fitzpatrick brothers, Alex and Matt, surged into the final day of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a commanding four‑stroke cushion after delivering an unprecedented better‑ball round of 57, the lowest ever recorded in the tournament's history. Their blistering performance, which saw them finish the third round at 30 under par, eclipsed the previous leaders—Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer—who had posted a respectable 61, as well as fellow American teammates Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. At TPC Louisiana the duo combined for an astonishing 13 birdies, eight of which came on the back nine alone.
Matt also added a spectacular eagle on the par‑five seventh hole, further extending their lead. "Amazing day. It probably hasn't fully sunk in how well we played today, to be honest," Matt reflected, visibly thrilled by the back‑to‑back birdie runs.
He praised his older brother, noting, "He played brilliant golf both last two days. His game has really turned a corner these last few months, and I believe in him to continue that trend. He's doing all the right things and it was great to see him have such a big impact on the back nine." Should the pair clinch the title, Matt would notch his fifth PGA Tour victory and become the first player in more than two years to win consecutive events—a feat last achieved by Scottie Scheffler, who captured the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage.
Alex, meanwhile, would secure a two‑year PGA Tour exemption through 2028, along with invitations to the next four signature tournaments, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. The leaderboard after the third round showed Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had tied the course record with a 58 in better‑ball play on Thursday, slipping to a tie for second place after posting a 62.
They were joined in that position by Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang, who each shot 61, moved into fourth place, five strokes behind the leaders. Notably, Zach Bauchou recorded the event’s first hole‑in‑one since 2024 on the par‑three third hole; he and partner Sam Stevens finished with a 64, eight shots back.
Veteran Billy Horschel, the only player to have won the Zurich Classic both as an individual and as part of a team, carded a 64 alongside Tom Hoge, leaving them seven shots behind the Fitzpatricks. The final round on Sunday will shift to an alternate‑shot format, where teammates share a single ball and take turns hitting shots. This change adds a strategic layer, as players must adapt to each other's strengths and maintain rhythm throughout the round.
The Zurich Classic stands out as the PGA Tour’s sole team‑based competition. The first and third rounds are contested in a four‑ball (better‑ball) format, where each golfer plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team.
The second and final rounds switch to foursomes, or alternate‑shot play, requiring teammates to alternate tee shots and share one ball for the entire hole. After 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend, and a sudden‑death playoff will decide the champion if a tie persists after 72 holes. This year’s event carries heightened stakes, as the Tour has increased the prize purse from $9.2 million (£6.83 million) to $9.5 million (£7.05 million).
The victorious duo will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total pool—about $1.372 million (£1.02 million) each—and each player will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the team format. In addition to the financial windfall, the winners will gain entry into several marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and will enjoy a two‑year exemption to return to the Zurich Classic. Beyond the immediate competition, the Fitzpatrick brothers' performance highlights a broader narrative in professional golf: the growing prominence of sibling partnerships and the unique chemistry they bring to team events. Their seamless communication, shared strategic vision, and mutual confidence were evident in the fluidity of their play, especially during the back‑nine surge where they recorded eight birdies in rapid succession.
Such synergy is rare and often translates into lower scores, as demonstrated by their record‑setting 57. For fans following the action, the tournament is being streamed live on the PGA Tour’s platform without a contractual commitment, and highlights are available through Sky Sports’ dedicated golf coverage, including podcasts and live updates via WhatsApp. The Zurich Classic also serves as a testing ground for players seeking to refine their alternate‑shot skills ahead of major championships that employ similar formats, such as the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
In summary, Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick have positioned themselves as the team to beat heading into the final round of the Zurich Classic. Their historic 57, combined with a blend of birdies, an eagle, and unshakable confidence, has set a high bar for the competition.
Whether they can sustain this momentum under the pressure of alternate‑shot play remains to be seen, but the odds are heavily in their favor as they chase a substantial payday, valuable FedExCup points, and coveted exemptions for future marquee events.