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 after the cut line was applied. Both players, who teamed up for this year’s team event, recorded rounds that left them just one shot shy of the score required to continue into the weekend competition. Lowry entered the tournament as a former champion, having lifted the Zurich Classic trophy two years earlier alongside Rory McIlroy. This year, however, McIlroy was absent, prompting Lowry to pair with the five‑time major winner Brooks Koepka.
The duo opened with a solid four‑ball 66 on Thursday, then followed it up with a 69 in the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format on Friday. Their combined effort placed them at nine under par after the first two rounds, but the cut was set at ten under, leaving them just outside the qualifying bracket.
While Lowry and Koepka faltered, the Fitzpatrick brothers—Matt and his younger sibling Alex—were making a strong push. On Friday, the English pair posted a blistering seven‑under 65, catapulting them up the leaderboard and into a shared second‑place position after 36 holes. Their momentum was further amplified by the American team of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who closed their round with consecutive birdies to finish at 70, moving them to 16 under par and establishing a one‑stroke lead over the Fitzpatricks and two other contending pairs. Going into the third round, Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick trailed Smalley and Springer by six strokes.
Yet the Fitzpatricks responded with the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to a single shot heading into Saturday’s final foursomes session. A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting capstone to what has already been an extraordinary few months for the Fitzpatrick family. Matt, who has recently climbed to No.
3 in the Official World Golf Rankings, secured back‑to‑back wins at the Valspar Championship and the RBC Heritage, the latter after defeating world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff.
Alex Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, has been building his own résumé. The Sheffield‑born golfer captured his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March, confirming his status as a rising talent. The brothers had also competed together at the Zurich Classic last year, but they missed the cut by two strokes, making this year’s near‑miss all the more poignant. Tied with the Fitzpatricks for second place are Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, each sitting at 15 under par.
Additional English representation includes Aaron Rai, who is partnered with American Sahith Theegala and sits at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge trail by a single shot at 11 under. The Zurich Classic remains the sole team‑based event on the PGA Tour schedule. The competition format alternates between four‑ball play for the first and third rounds—where each player plays their own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team—and foursomes for the second and final rounds, in which teammates share a single ball and alternate shots.
After the initial 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend rounds. If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion. This year’s tournament carries heightened financial stakes. The PGA Tour has increased the prize pool from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, with the winning duo slated to split roughly 14.45 percent of the total purse—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. The triumph also grants the winners entry into several marquee events for the 2027 season, including The Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as an automatic invitation to defend their title at the Zurich Classic for the next two years. Despite the disappointment for Lowry and Koepka, the tournament has provided plenty of drama and showcased the depth of talent across the field. Fans can continue to follow the action through live streams, podcasts, and Sky Sports coverage, and can stay updated via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, and expert analysis.
The Zurich Classic’s unique blend of individual skill and teamwork continues to make it a highlight on the PGA Tour calendar, offering both players and spectators a compelling showcase of golf at its finest.