Fitzpatrick Brothers Storm to Commanding Lead at Zurich Classic with Historic 57

NEW ORLEANS — The English duo of Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick have turned the Zurich Classic of New Orleans into a family affair, charging into a four-shot lead after a record-breaking third round at TPC Louisiana. Playing with the kind of telepathic chemistry that only siblings possess, the Fitzpatrick brothers fired a staggering 15-under-par 57 on Saturday to reach 30-under for the tournament, leaving the rest of the field scrambling in their wake.

What began as a one-shot deficit on Saturday morning quickly evaporated into a commanding advantage. The pair, who entered the week as one of the most fancied teams, delivered a masterclass in alternate-shot format—a discipline that typically separates the contenders from the pretenders. Their 57 is the lowest round ever recorded in the history of the Zurich Classic, a tournament that has seen its share of fireworks since switching to a team format in 2017.

How the Fitzpatricks Went Nuclear on Moving Day

The third round at TPC Louisiana is traditionally known as “moving day,” but the Fitzpatricks treated it more like a demolition derby. Starting on the back nine, the English brothers made the turn in 7-under 29, a score that already had them in contention. But the front nine was where they truly separated themselves from the pack. A blistering stretch of five consecutive birdies from holes 2 through 6 effectively broke the spirit of the chasing pack.

“It was one of those days where everything clicked,” said Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion. “Alex hit some incredible iron shots, and I was just trying to keep up. We fed off each other’s energy. When you’re playing with your brother, there’s no tension. It’s just fun.”

Alex Fitzpatrick, the younger sibling who has been plying his trade on the DP World Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour, was equally impressive. His driving accuracy and putting touch were on full display, particularly on the par-5s, where the pair carded three eagles over the course of the round. The 57 ties the lowest round in PGA Tour history for a pairs event, matching the mark set by other elite duos in recent years.

• Total birdies in round three: 13
• Eagles: 3
• Bogeys: 0
• Score to par: -15

The key to their success? Alternate-shot chemistry. In a format where one player hits the tee shot and the other hits the approach, trust is paramount. The Fitzpatricks grew up playing together as juniors in Sheffield, England, and that shared history was evident on every hole. They never second-guessed each other’s club selection and rarely left a putt short.

Chasing Pack Faces Uphill Battle: Smalley, Springer, and Others Lurk

While the Fitzpatricks are in cruise control, the chasing pack is not without hope. The American duo of Akshay Bhatia and Patrick Cantlay might be absent from the leaderboard, but the names behind them are hungry. Sitting at 26-under, four shots back, are the teams of A. Smalley/H. Springer and A. Eckroat/D. Thompson. Both American pairs played solid rounds of 63 and 62, respectively, but could not keep pace with the English juggernaut.

“We knew we had to go low, and we did,” said Hayden Springer, who is making a name for himself on the PGA Tour this season. “But those guys (the Fitzpatricks) are on another planet right now. We just have to go out on Sunday and put up another low number and see what happens.”

Further down the leaderboard, Doug Ghim and Mark Kang sit at 25-under, five shots back. While a five-shot deficit in a pairs event is not insurmountable—especially in the final round’s better-ball format—it will require an almost flawless round. The better-ball format, where both players play their own ball and the best score counts, often yields low scores, but the Fitzpatricks have proven they can go low in any format.

Selected others:

• -21: S. Power (Ire) / M. Schmid (Ger)
• -20: M. Penge (Eng) / M. Wallace (Eng), A. Rai (Eng) / S. Theegala (US)
• -18: D. Brown (Eng) / J. Parry (Eng)

The English contingent is well-represented in New Orleans, with several other British players making a push. However, none have the momentum of the Fitzpatricks, who have now posted three consecutive rounds in the 60s. Their consistency has been the hallmark of their performance, and it’s a testament to their preparation for this event.

Expert Analysis: Why the Fitzpatricks Are the Team to Beat

From a strategic standpoint, the Fitzpatricks have mastered the art of risk-reward management at TPC Louisiana. The course is a Pete Dye design that rewards aggressive play but punishes errant shots. The English brothers have found the perfect balance. In the third round, they never once made a bogey, a feat that is almost unheard of in a pairs event where you are hitting only half the shots.

“The key is the short game,” says former PGA Tour winner and current analyst Brandel Chamblee. “Matt Fitzpatrick is one of the best wedge players in the world, and Alex is not far behind. When you have two guys who can get up and down from anywhere, you can take more chances off the tee. That’s exactly what they did today.”

Another factor is the mental edge. Playing with a sibling removes the typical pressure of a partner you don’t know well. There is no ego, no awkward silences after a bad shot. The Fitzpatricks are comfortable enough to critique each other without causing friction. That dynamic was on full display when Alex missed a short putt on the 7th hole, only for Matt to pat him on the back and say, “Next one.” They birdied the next three holes.

Prediction for the final round: The Zurich Classic’s final round uses a better-ball format, which historically produces lower scores than alternate shot. The chasing pack will need to shoot at least 60 to have a chance. While that is possible—especially for the American teams who are comfortable in this format—the Fitzpatricks have shown they can also go low in better-ball. In the first round, they shot 62. Expect them to shoot in the low 60s again on Sunday, which should be enough to secure the victory by three or four shots.

What a Win Would Mean for the Fitzpatrick Family

For the Fitzpatrick family, a win at the Zurich Classic would be more than just a trophy. It would be a validation of a lifelong dream. The brothers have spoken openly about wanting to win a PGA Tour event together since they were children hitting balls at Hallamshire Golf Club in Sheffield. Matt, 29, has already achieved major success, but Alex, 25, is still searching for his first PGA Tour victory. Sharing that moment with his older brother would be career-defining.

“It would mean everything,” Alex Fitzpatrick said after the round. “Matt has been my hero my whole life. To do this together, in front of all these fans, it’s special. We’re not taking anything for granted, but we’re in a great spot.”

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has a history of producing memorable moments—from Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith’s playoff win in 2017 to the dominant performances of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. This year, the story is about family, pride, and a record-breaking score that will be remembered for years to come.

As the sun sets over TPC Louisiana, the Fitzpatricks hold a four-shot lead with 18 holes to play. The rest of the field is left to wonder: Can anyone stop the brothers from England?

Strong Conclusion: Sunday Showdown Awaits

Sunday at the Zurich Classic promises to be a spectacle. The Fitzpatricks will tee off with a comfortable but not insurmountable lead. The pressure will be on the chasing pack to make birdies early and force the English brothers into a mistake. However, based on what we’ve seen through three rounds, this is the Fitzpatricks’ tournament to lose.

They have the game, the chemistry, and the momentum. More importantly, they have each other. In a sport that is often solitary and individual, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans reminds us that golf can be a team sport, too. And right now, the best team on the course is the one that shares a last name.

Stay tuned for the final round, where history awaits. Whether it’s a coronation or a collapse, one thing is certain: the Fitzpatrick brothers have already made this a tournament to remember.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.