The Zurich Classic is seeing a phenomenal performance from brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick. The duo is having a phenomenal run in this event, making it feel more like a family game between the two than a fight for a PGA Tour win. While a seasoned Matt has already established his dominance, he was nothing but praise for his younger brother, who’s been a revelation at New Orleans.
“He was brilliant today. He was faultless, truly,” Matt Fitzpatrick said in the post-round presser. “He played fantastic, and he played fantastic yesterday as well. He played brilliant golf both last two days. His game has really turned a corner these last few months, and I believe in him to continue that trend. He’s doing all the right things, and obviously it was nice for him to have such a big impact there on the back nine to continue what the front nine brought.”
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The 31-year-old isn’t just motivating his brother here. Alex was brilliant in the third round. He scored seven birdies for their team, including three consecutive 1-unders in the last three holes of the day. The duo is currently sitting at -30 after scoring an emphatic 15-under par 57 in the penultimate round, which is a tournament record. That was enough for them to end Saturday with a 4-stroke lead.
Now, the two are in a position to achieve two incredible feats of their own.
“With a win, Matt Fitzpatrick would earn his fifth career PGA TOUR title and would become the first player in over two years to win in back-to-back events (Scottie Scheffler: 2024 Masters Tournament/2024 RBC Heritage),” PGA Tour Comunications shared on X. “A victory would mark Alex Fitzpatrick’s first TOUR title and earn him a PGA TOUR card through 2028, along with exemptions into the next four Signature Events, 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 PLAYERS Championship.”
Matt Fitzpatrick will himself make an interesting record. He beat Scottie Scheffler in the playoffs to win the RBC Heritage last week. If he also wins the TPC Louisiana event, then he will become the first player after the world #1 to win back-to-back PGA Tour events. Now in the lead, they might become the first pair of brothers to win this event as well. But fans should expect a lot of surprises coming from the elder Fitzpatrick.
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Matt Fitzpatrick knows how to get the job done
Fitzpatrick has been on fire this whole event. The successes haven’t stopped since he beat Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage. Battling against the world #1, Fitzpatrick was put in a very difficult position. The spectators were chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” throughout their sudden death contest. Yet, he didn’t let that bother him as he beat Scheffler in just one playoff hole. Fitzpatrick’s birdie was enough to silence the noise behind the ropes.
Once done, he gestured at the crowd to say “I can’t hear you” while pressing on his ear. Just goes to show how he can remain calm in critical situations.
When the Fitzpatricks entered round three, they were behind Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer. But Matt took the lead in the front nine, landing three birdies and an eagle. Alex came up to finish the job, making five birdies. Going into the final round, that early push from Matt is exactly what the younger Fitzpatrick will need.
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Being a one-time major winner, 2025 Ryder Cup champion with Team Europe, and the 2026 RBC Heritage title-holder from last week, Fitzpatrick has more than enough experience on the Tour to help his brother get into it. Alex also won the Hero Indian Open earlier in the year. We will have to see if the Fitzpatricks can get the job done on Sunday evening.
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