The English duo of Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick surged ahead of the field with a commanding four‑stroke margin as they entered the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, thanks to an astonishing better‑ball 57 in the third round—a score that set a new tournament record. Trailing the leaders by just one stroke after the second day, the brothers’ 15‑under‑par performance vaulted them to a total of 30 under par. This surge displaced the previous co‑leaders, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a solid 61, as well as fellow Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, who were also in contention. During their record‑setting round at TPC Louisiana, the Fitzpatrick pair amassed 13 birdies, eight of which came on the back nine.
Matt also contributed an eagle on the par‑five seventh hole, further widening the gap between the brothers and the rest of the field. "Amazing day.
It hasn't quite sunk in yet how well we played," Matt Fitzpatrick reflected after the round. "It was hole after hole where everything clicked." Alex praised his younger sibling, noting the rapid improvement in Matt’s game over recent months. "He played brilliant golf the last two days," Alex said. "His game has really turned a corner, and I believe he’ll keep that momentum going.
He's doing everything right, and it was great to see him make such a big impact on the back nine." If the Fitzpatrick brothers capture 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 secure 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, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had tied the course record with a 58 in better‑ball on Thursday—a record that stood for 48 hours—carded a 62 on Saturday, dropping them into a tie for second place alongside Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat.
Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang posted 61s to move into fourth, five strokes behind the leaders. Zach Bauchou recorded 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 in the team format, shot a 64 with teammate Tom Hoge, leaving them seven strokes behind the leaders. The final round on Sunday will shift to the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format, where each team plays a single ball and players take turns hitting shots.
This change adds a strategic layer to the competition, as teams must coordinate tee shots and manage the rhythm of alternating play. The Zurich Classic stands out as the PGA Tour’s sole team‑based event. The first and third rounds are contested in a four‑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 the foursomes format, with players sharing one ball and alternating shots throughout the round. After 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend.
If a tie remains after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff will determine the champion. This year’s tournament features an increased purse, raised by the PGA Tour leadership from $9.2 million (£6.83 million) to $9.5 million (£7.05 million).
The winning duo will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total prize money—about $1.372 million (£1.02 million) each. In addition to the financial reward, each player will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the event.
Beyond the immediate benefits, the champions will gain entry into several marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and will enjoy an exemption to compete in the Zurich Classic for the next two years. The heightened stakes and the unique team dynamic make the Zurich Classic a compelling showcase of collaboration and skill on the PGA Tour, and the Fitzpatrick brothers’ remarkable performance has set the stage for a dramatic conclusion.