Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, were unable to make the cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, missing it by a single stroke after the first two rounds. Their early exit came despite a promising start and a partnership that generated considerable interest among fans and commentators alike. Lowry entered the tournament as a former champion; he had captured the Zurich Classic title two years earlier while playing alongside Rory McIlroy. This year, however, McIlroy was absent, creating a vacancy that was filled by Koepka, a five‑time major winner and the reigning Masters champion.
The pairing of Lowry and Koepka was billed as a high‑profile collaboration, and they lived up to the hype during the opening day of four‑ball play, carding a solid 66. On Thursday afternoon they followed that with a 69 in the foursomes format, leaving them at nine under par after 36 holes. Unfortunately, the cut line was set at ten under, leaving the duo just one shot short of advancing to the weekend. While Lowry and Koepka stumbled, the Fitzpatrick brothers – Matt and his younger sibling Alex – surged forward.
On Friday, the English pair posted a blistering seven‑under 65, propelling them into a tie for second place after the first two rounds. Their momentum continued into the third round, where they posted the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to the leaders to a single stroke as they headed into the final round on Saturday. The American duo of Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer maintained their position at the top of the leaderboard, finishing their round with a series of birdies that brought their total to 16 under par. Their consistency gave them a one‑stroke cushion over the Fitzpatrick brothers and a two‑stroke lead over the other leading pairs.
Among those trailing closely were Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all tied at 15 under. English interest remained high with Aaron Rai, partnered with American Sahith Theegala, sitting at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge were just one shot behind at 11 under. The field was therefore tightly packed, with numerous teams still in contention as the tournament approached its climax.
The Fitzpatrick brothers’ performance carries particular significance for their family’s recent achievements. Matt Fitzpatrick has enjoyed a remarkable run, climbing to third in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and then securing a dramatic victory at the RBC Heritage, where he defeated world number one Scottie Scheffler in a playoff. Alex Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, captured his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March, adding further depth to the brothers’ résumé. The pair had entered the Zurich Classic last year but missed the cut by two strokes, making this year’s strong showing a clear sign of progress.
The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the only team‑based event, employing a hybrid format that tests both individual skill and partnership chemistry. The first and third rounds are played as four‑ball, where each player hits their own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. The second and final rounds shift to foursomes, a true alternate‑shot format that requires players to share a single ball, alternating tee shots and subsequent strokes. After the initial 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend competition.
If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion. This year’s tournament also featured a modest increase in the prize fund, with the total purse rising from $9.2 million to $9.5 million. The victorious team will split roughly 14.45 percent of that pool, equating to about $1.372 million to be divided between the two players. In addition to the monetary reward, each winner will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the event.
The champions will also secure exemptions into several marquee tournaments for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as an automatic invitation to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two editions. Overall, the Zurich Classic continues to provide a compelling blend of individual talent and team strategy, drawing fans who appreciate the collaborative aspect of golf. While Lowry and Koepka’s early departure was a disappointment for their supporters, the tournament has set the stage for a thrilling finish among the Fitzpatrick brothers, Smalley and Springer, and a host of other contenders eager to claim the title and the substantial rewards that accompany it.