The sibling pair of Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick entered the final day of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a commanding four‑stroke cushion after producing a historic better‑ball 57 in the third round – the lowest score ever recorded for that format in the tournament's history. Their 15‑under‑par round lifted the English team to a total of 30 under, propelling them past the overnight leaders, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a 61, as well as fellow American competitors Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat.
During that remarkable round the brothers combined for a staggering 13 birdies, eight of which came on the back nine, and Matt added an eagle on the par‑five seventh hole. The performance was a showcase of precision, teamwork, and aggressive play, allowing the Fitzpatricks to seize control of the leaderboard.
Matt Fitzpatrick reflected on the day with a mixture of awe and humility, saying, "Amazing day. Probably not kind of sunk in how well we played today, if I'm honest. It was just hole after hole." He praised his older brother’s consistency, 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 obviously it was nice for him to have such a big impact there on the back nine." If the duo can convert their lead into a victory, Matt would notch his fifth PGA Tour triumph and would become the first player in more than two years to win back‑to‑back events on the Tour, a feat last achieved by Scottie Scheffler when he captured the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage. Alex would also reap a significant reward: a two‑year exemption on the PGA Tour through the 2028 season, plus automatic entry into the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship. Behind the Fitzpatricks, the competition remained fierce.
Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had previously tied a course record with a 58 in better‑ball play on Thursday, posted a 62 in the third round and fell into a tie for second place alongside Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang recorded a 61, moving them into fourth place, five strokes behind the leaders.
Other notable moments included Zach Bauchou’s hole‑in‑one on the par‑three third hole – the first ace at the event since 2024 – and his partner Sam Stevens, who together 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, teamed with Tom Hoge for a 64, placing them seven strokes behind the Fitzpatricks. 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 decide who tees off on each hole and how to manage risk versus reward together.
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. After 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend. Should a tie persist after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff will determine the champion.
Financial stakes are high this year. PGA Tour officials have increased the purse from $9.2 million (£6.83 million) to $9.5 million (£7.05 million). The winning pair will split roughly 14.45 percent of that total, translating to about $1.372 million (£1.02 million) per player.
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 awarded for this event. Beyond the immediate rewards, the champions will secure coveted entries into several marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship. They will also enjoy an exemption to compete in the Zurich Classic for the next two editions, guaranteeing them a place in the tournament’s future line‑ups. The weekend’s drama is set against the backdrop of TPC Louisiana, a course known for its challenging layout and Southern hospitality.
The better‑ball format in the early rounds allows each player to play their own ball, with the lower score on each hole counting toward the team total, encouraging aggressive play and rewarding risk‑taking. The later foursomes format demands precision and seamless coordination, as every shot directly influences the partner’s next opportunity.
Fans can follow the action via Sky Sports, which offers live streaming, podcasts, and regular updates through its WhatsApp channel. The tournament also provides a chance for casual golfers to book rounds at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, highlighting the sport’s broad appeal.
As the Fitzpatrick brothers prepare for the decisive day, the narrative is clear: they have already written a chapter of golf history with their record‑setting round, but the final page remains unwritten. Their performance will be a test of skill, composure, and brotherly chemistry, with a substantial prize and future exemptions hanging in the balance. Whether they can maintain their lead under the pressure of alternate‑shot play will be the story that defines the Zurich Classic’s 2024 edition.