The sibling pair of Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick entered the final day of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans with a commanding four‑stroke advantage after delivering a historic better‑ball round of 57, the lowest ever recorded in the tournament. Their remarkable performance, which saw them finish the third round at 30 under par, vaulted them past the previous leaders, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a 61, as well as fellow Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat.
At TPC Louisiana the brothers combined for an astonishing 13 birdies, eight of which came on the back nine alone. Matt also added an eagle on the par‑five seventh hole, further extending their lead. "Amazing day.
It probably hasn't quite sunk in how well we played today, if I'm honest," Matt said after the round. "It was just hole after hole." Alex praised his younger brother's recent form, noting that Matt had captured the Indian Open the month before and that his game had "really turned a corner" in recent months.
"He's doing all the right things and it was great to see him have such a big impact on the back nine," Alex added. Should the Fitzpatrick brothers secure the title, Matt would notch his fifth PGA Tour victory and become the first player in more than two years to win back‑to‑back events—a feat last achieved by Scottie Scheffler, who won the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage. Alex would also reap a two‑year PGA Tour exemption through 2028, along with automatic entries into the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship.
Meanwhile, the competition remained fierce. Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had previously posted a course‑record‑tying 58 in the better‑ball format on Thursday, recorded a 62 on Saturday and fell into a tie for second place with Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat.
Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang posted a 61 to move into fourth, five strokes behind the leaders. Zach Bauchou made the tournament'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, shot a 64 with Tom Hoge, putting them seven strokes behind. The final round will shift to the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format, where teammates share a single ball and take turns hitting shots.
This change adds a strategic layer, as players must coordinate tee shots and manage the rhythm of alternating play. After 72 holes, if a tie remains, a sudden‑death playoff will determine the champion. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based event, featuring four‑ball play in the first and third rounds and foursomes in the second and final rounds.
The top 33 teams and ties after the first two rounds advance to the weekend competition, making every stroke crucial. Financial stakes are high this year. The tournament purse has been increased from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, with the winning duo set to split roughly 14.45 percent of the total—about $1.372 million each.
In addition to the monetary reward, each winner will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the team event. Beyond the immediate rewards, the champions will secure invitations to several marquee tournaments in the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and will enjoy an exemption to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two editions.
The event has also produced notable moments beyond the leaderboard. Zach Bauchou's hole‑in‑one on the third hole provided a rare highlight, and the tournament continues to draw attention for its blend of individual skill and collaborative strategy, offering fans a distinctive viewing experience on the PGA Tour calendar. Overall, the Fitzpatrick brothers' extraordinary 57‑stroke round has set a new benchmark for better‑ball play and positioned them as the team to beat heading into Sunday's decisive round.
Their blend of experience, youthful vigor, and mutual confidence suggests they have a strong chance of converting their lead into a historic victory, while the rest of the field prepares for the demanding alternate‑shot format that will test both precision and teamwork.