The sibling duo of Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick entered the final day of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a commanding four‑stroke lead after delivering a historic better‑ball round of 57, the lowest ever recorded for the tournament. Their 15‑under‑par performance on the third day lifted the English pair to a cumulative 30‑under‑par, overtaking the previous leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who had posted a 61, as well as fellow Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat.
During that remarkable round the brothers combined for a total of 13 birdies, with an impressive eight of those occurring on the back nine. Matt also added an eagle on the par‑five seventh hole, further widening the gap between the Fitzpatricks and the rest of the field.
"Amazing day. I probably haven't fully absorbed how well we played," Matt Fitzpatrick remarked after the round. "It was hole after hole where everything just clicked." He went on to praise his older brother, noting, "He played brilliant golf both last two days. His game has really turned a corner these last few months, and I believe he will keep that trend going.
He's doing all the right things, and it was great to see him make such a big impact on the back‑nine." Should the Fitzpatrick team capture the title, it would mark Matt's fifth PGA Tour victory and would make him 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 won the 2024 Masters and the 2024 RBC Heritage. In addition, Alex would secure a two‑year PGA Tour exemption through the 2028 season, as well as automatic entries into the next four signature events, the 2026 PGA Championship, and the 2027 Players Championship. The chase for the lead was intense.
After posting a course‑record‑tying 58 in the better‑ball format on Thursday, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer recorded a 62 on the third day, which placed them in a tie for second place alongside Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat. Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang posted a 61, moving them into a solitary fourth‑place position, five strokes behind the leaders.
Zach Bauchou made a memorable mark on the tournament by recording the first hole‑in‑one of the event since 2024 on the par‑three third hole. Bauchou, paired with Sam Stevens, finished with a 64, leaving them eight strokes off the pace.
Billy Horschel, the only player to have won the Zurich Classic both as an individual and as part of a team, teamed up with Tom Hoge for a 64, putting them seven shots behind the Fitzpatricks. The final round on Sunday will revert to the alternate‑shot (foursomes) format, where teammates share a single ball and take turns hitting shots.
This shift in format adds a strategic layer as players must adjust to playing off each other's positions and maintain a steady rhythm throughout the round. The Zurich Classic stands out as the sole team‑based competition on the PGA Tour calendar. The first and third rounds are played in a four‑ball format, where each player hits their own ball and the lower score on each hole counts for the team.
The second and fourth rounds adopt the foursomes format described earlier. After 36 holes, the top 33 teams plus ties advance to the weekend competition.
If a tie persists after the full 72 holes, a sudden‑death playoff will determine the champions. This week carries heightened significance because the tournament's prize pool has been increased by the PGA Tour leadership, rising from $9.2 million (£6.83 million) to $9.5 million (£7.05 million). The winning pair will split a 14.45 percent share of that purse—approximately $1.372 million (£1.02 million) each—along with 400 FedExCup points per player.
While the event does not award Official World Golf Ranking points, the victory does grant the champions entry into several premier events for the 2027 season, including the Players Championship and the PGA Championship, and a two‑year exemption to return to the Zurich Classic. Beyond the immediate competition, the Fitzpatrick brothers' performance underscores a broader narrative about the resurgence of English talent on the PGA Tour and the growing importance of team dynamics in a traditionally individual sport. Their chemistry on the course, highlighted by synchronized birdie bursts and strategic shot selection, demonstrates how familial bonds can translate into a competitive edge.
Fans can follow the action live via the PGA Tour's streaming platforms, and the event will also be broadcast on Sky Sports, where a dedicated golf podcast provides additional analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insights. For those interested in experiencing the tournament atmosphere firsthand, a range of golf courses across the UK and Ireland are offering booking options, allowing enthusiasts to play on courses that share similar layouts to TPC Louisiana.
As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on the Fitzpatricks to see if they can maintain their lead under the pressure of the alternate‑shot format. The outcome will not only determine the winners of the Zurich Classic but could also shape the early narrative of the 2027 PGA Tour season, especially regarding the momentum of Matt Fitzpatrick's pursuit of consecutive victories and Alex's continued ascent on the Tour.