Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, the high‑profile duo, were eliminated from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after missing the cut by a single stroke. Their partnership, which attracted a lot of attention, ended earlier than expected, leaving the field open for other contenders. Lowry entered the tournament as a former champion, having captured the title two years earlier when he teamed with Rory McIlroy.
This year, however, McIlroy was absent, prompting Lowry to join forces with the five‑time major winner Brooks Koepka. The pair started strongly, posting a 66 in the Thursday four‑ball round and following it with a 69 in the Friday foursomes. After 36 holes they sat at nine under par, just one shot shy of the cut line, which required ten under. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers—Matt and his younger sibling Alex—were making a serious charge up the leaderboard.
On Friday they recorded a spectacular seven‑under 65, catapulting them into a share of second place after the first two rounds. Their momentum was further reinforced when the American team of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer maintained the top spot with a steady 70, moving to 16 under and creating a one‑stroke cushion over the Fitzpatricks and two other pairs. Going into the Friday foursomes, the Fitzpatrick duo trailed Smalley and Springer by six strokes, but they responded with the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to a single shot heading into Saturday.
A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting capstone to an impressive few months for the Fitzpatrick family. Matt, who has risen to No.
3 in the Official World Golf Rankings, recently secured wins at the Valspar Championship and the RBC Heritage, where he outlasted world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff. Alex, on his part, has been on an upward trajectory, having claimed his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March.
The brothers had attempted the Zurich Classic last year but missed the cut by two strokes. Other teams tied with the Fitzpatricks for second place include Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all positioned at 15 under. English interest remains strong with Aaron Rai, paired with American Sahith Theegala, sitting at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge trail by just one shot at 11 under. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based event.
The competition format features four‑ball play for the first and third rounds, 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 a foursomes format, requiring teammates to alternate shots with a single ball; the combined strokes determine the team’s score for each hole, and players also alternate tee shots. After the initial two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend stages.
If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff will decide the champion. This year the tournament’s purse has been increased from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, raising the stakes for all participants.
The winning team will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total purse—about $1.372 million—while each member also earns 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded. Beyond the immediate financial reward, the victorious pair will gain entry into several marquee events for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and they will receive an exemption to compete in the Zurich Classic for the next two years. In summary, while Lowry and Koepka’s early exit was a disappointment for fans of the duo, it has paved the way for the Fitzpatrick brothers and other teams to vie for the title.
The tournament’s distinctive team format, increased prize money, and the added incentives of future major‑tournament entries ensure that the competition remains a highlight on the PGA Tour calendar, promising exciting golf and strategic collaboration as the remaining teams battle for the coveted trophy.