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, missing the cut after the first two rounds. Their partnership, formed after the defending champion Rory McIlroy opted out of this year’s event, promised a compelling storyline: Lowry, who captured the Zurich Classic title two years prior alongside McIlroy, paired with Koepka, a five‑time major champion, to chase another victory.
The duo got off to a solid start, carding a 66 in the opening four‑ball round on Thursday. They followed that with a respectable 69 in the foursomes format on Friday, leaving them nine under par after 36 holes.
Unfortunately, the cut line was set at ten under, leaving Lowry and Koepka just one shot short of continuing into the weekend. Meanwhile, the Fitzpatrick brothers—Matt and his younger sibling Alex—were making a strong push.
On Friday, they posted a seven‑under 65, propelling them into a tie for second place after the halfway point. Their performance was bolstered by a dominant showing from the American pair Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who maintained the lead with a round of 70 that brought them to 16 under par, a full stroke ahead of the Fitzpatricks and two other teams. Matt and Alex had entered Friday’s foursomes trailing Smalley and Springer by six strokes, but they turned the tables by delivering the lowest round of the day, narrowing the gap to just one shot heading into Saturday’s final round. A victory in New Orleans would have capped an extraordinary few months for the Fitzpatrick family.
Matt, already ranked third in the Official World Golf Rankings after triumphs at the Valspar Championship and a dramatic playoff win over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage, was riding a wave of momentum. Alex, too, was in fine form, having secured his first DP World Tour victory at the Hero Indian Open earlier in the season. The leaderboard after 36 holes showed a tightly packed field.
Tied for second with the Fitzpatricks were Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge, all sitting at 15 under. English interest remained high with Aaron Rai, partnered with American Sahith Theegala, at 12 under, while Matt Wallace and Marco Penge were just a shot behind at 11 under. The Zurich Classic is unique on the PGA Tour as the sole team‑based competition.
The format alternates between four‑ball play in the first and third rounds—where each player hits his own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team—and foursomes in the second and final rounds, where teammates share a single ball and alternate shots. After the initial two rounds, the top 33 teams and any ties advance to the weekend showdown. If a tie persists after 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff determines the champion.
This year’s tournament also featured an increased purse, up from $9.2 million to $9.5 million, reflecting the Tour’s desire to elevate the prestige of the event. The winning pair will split roughly 14.45 percent of the total prize fund, translating to about $1.372 million each. In addition to the monetary reward, the victors will each earn 400 FedExCup points, although no Official World Golf Ranking points are awarded for the team format. Beyond the immediate financial and points incentives, the champions secure invitations to several marquee events for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, as well as an exemption to return to the Zurich Classic for the next two years.
While Lowry and Koepka’s early exit was disappointing for fans hoping to see a repeat of Lowry’s 2022 triumph, the tournament nonetheless delivered plenty of drama and showcased the depth of talent across the field. The Fitzpatrick brothers, in particular, demonstrated why they are becoming one of the sport’s most compelling sibling duos, combining youthful vigor with seasoned experience. As the weekend approaches, the remaining teams will vie for the coveted title, navigating the strategic nuances of foursomes play and hoping to avoid the heartbreak of missing the cut by a single stroke—an outcome that Lowry and Koepka know all too well. The Zurich Classic continues to provide a rare glimpse into the collaborative side of professional golf, where chemistry, strategy, and shared resilience can turn a pair of individual stars into a championship‑winning unit.