Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, were unable to survive the cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, missing it by a single stroke after a promising start. Their partnership, formed for this year’s team event, was a direct result of Rory McIlroy’s absence; Lowry had previously won the tournament in 2022 alongside McIlroy, and with the world number one not in the field, he paired with the five‑time major champion Koepka.
The duo opened with a solid 66 in the Thursday four‑ball round, showing good chemistry and a willingness to attack the pins. On Friday they followed that with a 69 in the foursomes format, which left them at nine under par after 36 holes. Unfortunately, the cut line sat at ten under, leaving them just one shot short of continuing into the weekend. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers, Matt and Alex, were making a strong statement.
On Friday they posted a remarkable seven‑under 65, propelling them into a tie for second place after the first two rounds. Their surge was matched by the American pair Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who closed their round with consecutive birdies to finish at 70, moving them to 16 under par and giving them a one‑stroke lead over the Fitzpatricks and two other teams. Going into the third round, the Fitzpatricks were six shots behind Smalley and Springer but responded with the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to a single stroke heading into Saturday's final foursomes session.
A victory in New Orleans would be a fitting capstone for the Fitzpatrick family, whose recent form has been nothing short of spectacular. Matt Fitzpatrick has risen to third in the Official World Golf Rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and then the RBC Heritage, where he defeated world number one Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff. His younger brother Alex, who captured his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open in March, has also been riding a wave of confidence.
The brothers entered the Zurich Classic last year but missed the cut by two strokes, making this year's performance a clear improvement. Alongside them, other teams are locked in tight contention: Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, share the second‑place slot at 15 under. English players are also in the mix, with Aaron Rai teamed with American Sahith Theegala sitting at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge trail just one shot behind at 11 under. The Zurich Classic remains the only team‑based competition on the PGA Tour schedule.
Its format alternates between four‑ball play in the first and third rounds—where each player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team—and foursomes in the second and final rounds, where teammates alternate shots with a single ball. After the initial 36 holes, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend. If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion. This year the tournament has seen its prize fund increased from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, raising the stakes for all participants.
The winning pair will split roughly 14.45 percent of the purse, translating to about $1.372 million each. In addition to the financial reward, each player on the victorious team will earn 400 FedExCup points, though no Official World Golf Ranking points are on offer.
The champions also secure invitations to marquee events for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and they receive an exemption to compete in the Zurich Classic for the next two years. While Lowry and Koepka’s early exit may be disappointing for their fans, the tournament has already produced plenty of drama and showcased the depth of talent across the field. The Fitzpatrick brothers, in particular, have demonstrated why they are considered among the sport’s rising stars, and their continued success could see them adding more team titles to their résumé in the future.
For golf enthusiasts looking to follow the action, the Zurich Classic can be streamed live without a contract, and the Sky Sports Golf Podcast offers additional analysis and commentary. Fans can also stay updated via Sky Sports' WhatsApp service, which provides the latest news, videos, and feature stories from the world of sport. Overall, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans continues to be a compelling showcase of teamwork, strategy, and individual brilliance, with the next edition promising even more excitement as players vie for the lucrative prize, valuable FedExCup points, and coveted tournament exemptions.