Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, two of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour, saw their hopes of advancing at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans evaporate by a single stroke after the first two rounds. Both players, who paired together for this year’s team event, posted a combined score that left them just one shot outside the cut line, ending their tournament campaign earlier than expected. Lowry entered the competition as a former champion, having captured the Zurich Classic title two years prior while teamed with Rory McIlroy. This year, however, McIlroy was absent from the field, prompting Lowry to join forces with five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka.
The duo opened with a solid four‑ball 66 on Thursday, then followed it with a 69 in the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format on Friday. After 36 holes, their aggregate of nine under par placed them a single shot shy of the ten‑under cut, effectively eliminating them from the weekend rounds.
Meanwhile, the English brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick were making a strong push. On Friday, the pair carded a seven‑under 65, propelling them into a tie for second place after the halfway mark. Their performance was part of a broader surge that saw several teams clustering near the top of the leaderboard.
American teammates Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had already secured the lead after a string of birdies, posted a 70 to sit at 16 under par—one stroke ahead of the Fitzpatrick brothers and two other duos. Going into the Friday foursomes, the Fitzpatrick brothers trailed Smalley and Springer by six shots, but they responded with the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to a single stroke heading into Saturday’s final round. A victory in New Orleans would have capped a remarkable few months for the Fitzpatricks.
Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off wins at the Valspar Championship and the RBC Heritage—where he defeated world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff—has risen to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
His younger sibling, Alex, has also been in fine form, having secured his first DP World Tour triumph at the Hero Indian Open in March. The Zurich Classic, the PGA Tour’s sole team‑based tournament, employs a hybrid format: the first and third rounds are played as four‑ball, where each player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team.
The second and final rounds switch to foursomes, with teammates alternating shots using 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.
Beyond the competitive drama, the event carries significant financial incentives. This year the prize fund was increased from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, with the winning pair slated to split roughly 14.45 percent—about $1.372 million each. 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 the team format. 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 return to the Zurich Classic for the next two years.
Other notable storylines include Englishman Aaron Rai, who, partnered with American Sahith Theegala, sits at 12 under par, and fellow English representatives Matt Wallace and Marco Penge, who are just one shot behind at 11 under. Tied for second place alongside the Fitzpatrick brothers are Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, each team sitting at 15 under.
The Fitzpatrick brothers’ resurgence is especially poignant given their near‑miss at the same tournament last year, when they fell short of the cut by two strokes. Their current form suggests a rapid turnaround, underscored by Matt’s ascent in the world rankings and Alex’s breakthrough on the European circuit. While Lowry and Koepka’s early exit may be disappointing for fans, their performance still demonstrated the depth of talent in the field.
Lowry’s previous success at the Zurich Classic, combined with Koepka’s reputation as a clutch major winner, made their partnership one to watch. Unfortunately, the razor‑thin margin of a single stroke proved enough to end their run. The Zurich Classic continues to be a unique showcase on the PGA Tour calendar, offering a blend of individual skill and teamwork that is rarely seen in professional golf.
As the weekend approaches, the remaining teams will vie for the lucrative purse, valuable FedExCup points, and the prestige of winning one of the tour’s most distinctive events. Fans can follow live coverage via the PGA Tour’s streaming platforms, listen to analysis on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, or stay updated through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp service for the latest scores, highlights, and expert commentary. The tournament not only highlights the competitive spirit of the sport but also provides a platform for emerging talents to shine alongside established stars, making the Zurich Classic a compelling watch for golf enthusiasts worldwide.