The Zurich Classic

The Fitzpatrick brothers, Alex and Matt, have made an excellent season even better by coming out on top at this year’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The duo finished on 31-under-par, a single stroke clear of Norwegian pair Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura.

Taking place annually at TPC Louisiana, the Zurich Classic is the lone team event on the PGA Tour calendar. Players are in teams of 2 with rounds 1 and 3 being a four-ball-better-ball format with alternative shot foursomes being the state of play on rounds 2 and 4.

The duo played exceptionally well all tournament long, holding the lead on 30-under-par at the end of the third round. American teams consisting of Davis Thompson / Austin Eckroat and Alex Smalley / Hayden Springer were trailing them on 26-under.

Threatening the lead held by the Fitzpatricks, the Reitan / Ventura duo had ended their round on an eagle, landing them on 30-under. Things were looking shaky for the Englishmen when they carded a double bogey and a subsequent bogey on holes 12 and 14, undoing the three birdies they’d secured earlier in the round, joining the Norwegians on 30-under.

In spectacular style, the duo pulled a birdie out of the bag on their final hole largely owing to a sublime bunker shot from Matt, allowing Alex to tap in a 2-foot putt. Wearing matching green shirts for the Sunday, both brothers embraced as cheers from the New Orleans fans erupted around them.

Alex Fitzpatrick had only just won the Hero Indian Open at the end of March and has now secured a win alongside his brother. He was over the moon with their combined performance “It won’t sink in. It’s amazing to be here with him, my mum and dad. It’s a lot of hard work and I can’t believe we’ve done it. It’s as good as it gets.”

The victory for Matt meant he’d secured back-to-back victories having received a plaid jacket at this year’s RBC Heritage just last weekend. His closing bunker shot will certainly stick with him for a while “It was a struggle. I was doing zero to help him but he was fantastic on the back nine. I said, ‘just give us a chance on the last to hit a bunker shot like that’.”

There’s something very special about watching brothers play well and achieve such resounding success together. If you’re seeking that winning feeling yourself, we’re always available to book you in for some lessons to improve your game in the pro shop.