With one round to play of the unique PGA Tour team event the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick appeared to be cruising to victory.
A record-breaking 57 from the pair in the third round gave them a commanding lead of four, although for much of Sunday, their grip on the title became considerably looser.
With maintaining their advantage a priority, it was perhaps predictable that the leaders would approach things rather differently on Sunday, and that's how things played out to begin with, with two birdies on the front nine keeping their noses in front in the round of foursomes.
However, their four-shot advantage didn't last too long thanks to the charge of Norwegian pair Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura further on, helped by a hole-out eagle at the eighth followed by a second eagle at the 11th to reduce the deficit to two.
Even with their advantage cut in half, there were no real signs things would go awry for the leaders, and a birdie putt at the 11th from Matt Fitzpatrick gave them a three-shot cushion.
Then things began to go wrong. First, Matt found trees to the right of the fairway with his tee shot at the 12th, and when Alex hit one of them while attempting to pitch out, they were facing the prospect of just their third bogey of the week.
In the end, it got even worse with a double bogey, with Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer suddenly the pair in second and just one behind thanks to a birdie at the 13th.
At the 13th, Matt Fitzpatrick's wobble continued, with his wedge shot sailing right over the green, before the pair escaped with par thanks to his younger brother's brilliantly judged chip onto the putting surface to set up the tap-in.
While the leaders escaped there, they weren't so lucky at the par-3 14th, where Matt failed to convert a long par putt to ensure the co-lead was shared with Smalley and Springer.
Before long, three shared the lead thanks to another Reitan and Ventura eagle at the 18th, before they were joined in the clubhouse at 30-under by Smalley and Springer.
The Fitzpatricks had the chance to regain the solo lead at the par-3 17th following Alex's well-judged 6-iron onto the green, but Matt failed to convert it, leaving them needing a birdie at the par-5 18th to win it without a playoff.
Even then, there was more drama after Alex found a bunker in front of the green with the pair's second shot.
With the third, Matt produced a stunner, sending the ball out of the sand and to 14 inches of the hole, leaving a tap-in for Alex to seal an emotional victory.
The Fitz brothers walk off @Zurich_Classic with a winning birdie ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hRJkzm4Gw6April 26, 2026
The win hands Matt Fitzpatrick his third PGA Tour win in four starts, while for Alex, his maiden title on the circuit is truly life-changing.
The win also earns him a PGA Tour card and places in the remaining Signature Events of 2026, the PGA Championship and next year's Players Championship.
Afterwards, Matt described his pride at winning alongside his brother, saying: "Yeah, it means the world. Absolutely speechless. It was a grind today, and he was unbelievable. I couldn't be more proud. That was just truly unbelievable today."
Alex also confirmed he would be taking up his PGA Tour membership immediately. He said: "I am, indeed, yeah, yeah. I signed as quick as I could. I'm still shaking, and yeah, it was crazy."
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Leaderboard
- 1st -31 Alex Fitzpatrick/Matt Fitzpatrick
- T2 -30 Kristoffer Reitan/Kris Ventura
- T2 -30 Alex Smalley/Hayden Springer
- T4 -28 Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen/Jakob Skov Olesen
- T4 -28 Ben Martin/Trace Crowe
- T6 -27 Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge
- T6 -27 Eric Cole/Hank Lebioda
- T6 -27 Doug Ghim/Jeffrey Kang
- T6 -27 Davis Thompson/Austin Ackroat
Updates from...
WELCOME!
Welcome to our coverage of the remaining holes of the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. After 54 holes, brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick led by four.
That's now down to two, with Norwegian pair Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura breathing down their necks, so it looks like we're in for an exciting conclusion at TPC Louisiana.
I'll keep you up to date throughout the final holes of the unique PGA Tour team event.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Both Fitzpatrick brothers have success this season, with Matt having won the Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage and Alex the DP World Tour's Hero Indian Open.
For the latter, this would be his maiden PGA Tour win, while it would also hand him a two-year exemption to the circuit.
There are also spots at The Players Championship and PGA Championship for Alex if the pair win (Matt is already in both events) as well as over $1m each in prize money.
AS IT STANDS
The Fitzpatricks are on the 11th at 32 under, with Reitan and Ventura two back at the 13th. The format for the final round is foursomes (alternate shot), meaning just one ball is used per team.
The leaders were explosive on Saturday, with a record-breaking 57, but they've been more reserved today, at two under.
Meanwhile, here is the eagle putt that saw the Norwegian pair close the gap on the leaders to just two.
Look out for the Norwegians 🇳🇴Another eagle puts Reitan/Ventura two back of the lead, as Reitan eyes two Signature Event starts via the #AonSwing5. pic.twitter.com/yyRMHyy7pUApril 26, 2026
SLAM-DUNK EAGLE!
Another team not out of the running just yet is Doug Ghim and Jeffrey Kang. They're four back, helped by this slam-dunk eagle from Kang.
Slam-dunk eagle!Jeffrey Kang and Doug Ghim quickly jump to T2 @Zurich_Classic.📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/gfgLomWUvyApril 26, 2026
MISSTEP FROM VENTURA
At the 13th, Kris Ventura doesn't do his teammate any favors, leaving his approach way short of the pin, albeit on the green. It'll take something special to reduce the gap to one on the Fitzpatricks here...
Reitan's effort drifts by and that's a missed opportunity.
COOL FROM MATT
Not for the first time in recent weeks, Matt Fitzpatrick makes it count when it matters, sinking a long birdie putt at the 11th and he and Alex now lead by three.
TREE TROUBLE FOR LEADERS
Matt Fitzpatrick tees off at the 12th, a par 4, and he won't be happy with that as it sails right into some trees.
Do they get lucky? No. The ball is right behind a tree, leaving their options limited, to say the least.
On a bright note for the leaders, Reitan and Ventura bogey the 13th to slip back to 29-under.
LEADERS WOBBLING AT THE 12TH
After much discussion, Alex opts to pitch out to the fairway, but to say it backfires is an understatement, with the Englishman hitting the ball straight into another tree not much further along.
Matt takes relief from a cart path, but they're not quite out of the woods yet... literally.
More trees are in the equation, but can Matt dig the pair out of the mess? He finds the fairway, but that's three shots down on a par-4, with some distance to the green...
Trouble at the 12th ‼️Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick make a double bogey after getting stuck in the trees, and their lead is down to one @Zurich_Classic.📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/E31WmcNbxsApril 26, 2026
LEAD CUT TO ONE
Alex Fitzpatrick has the honor of the fourth for the pair at the 12th, and it's decent enough, but stops in its tracks a few feet beyond the cup when he would have expected it to spin back.
Matt then fails to convert the bogey putt, Alex holes for the double, and suddenly the lead is just one after Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer move into second.
Wow... the pair led by four no more than 10 minutes ago.
SMALLEY AND SPRINGER ON THE CHARGE
Five birdies in seven holes have dragged Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer right into contention. They're now on 30 under after 13, just one behind the Fitzpatricks.
It nearly gets better, but Smalley's birdie putt at the 13th lips out.
HUGE MISJUDGEMENT FROM MATT
Things are heading south quickly for the Fitzpatricks. With the pair's second at the par-4 13th, Matt's wedge shot sails way beyond the green and they'll be lucky to escape with a par after that.
Is it the pressure starting to show? You wouldn't think so given Matt's vast experience, but there's so much on the line for his younger brother, Alex, including a PGA Tour card, that maybe, just maybe, it's getting to Matt a little.
Meanwhile, Reitan and Ventura fall further back with a bogey at the 15th.
BRAVO, ALEX!
Alex Fitzpatrick bails the pair out big time. His chip onto the green gets within a couple of feet or so, and that'll more than likely lead to a par.
Matt finishes and they swiftly move onto the next.
TEAM FITZPATRICK'S ROCKY SPELL CONTINUES
The leaders are at the tee box of the par-3 14th, where Matt opts for a 6 iron in pursuit of the green, only for it to find a greenside bunker. The 2022 US Open champion seems to be struggling to reset following some wobbles on the previous two holes.
TEAM FITZPATRICK LOSES SOLO LEAD
Can Alex save the team for the second consecutive hole? Not this time. His bunker shot at the par 3 rolls considerably past the hole to leave a long, long par putt for his brother, who fails to convert. Another bogey and the solo lead is gone.
MORE TROUBLE FOR THE TEAM FITZPATRICK
Will losing the solo lead refocus the minds of Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick? Judging by the latter's tee shot at the par-4 15th, it doesn't appear so.
His drive misses the fairway and very nearly settles in a bunker before stopping inches in front, but nestled deep in the rough. Things are in danger of completely unraveling for the pair, and they really need to reclaim the composure that worked so effectively over the first three and a half rounds.
REITAN AND VENTURE PILE ON PRESSURE
Reitain and Ventura, at the 18th, leave an eagle chance, which would draw them level! Suddenly, there could be a new co-leader.
MATT GETS THINGS BACK ON TRACK
Back to the Fitzpatricks and Matt digs it out of trouble at the 15th, but the ball stops left of the green and that won't be a straightforward up-and-down for par.
Alex has the dubious honor of trying to get close to the hole, and it drifts right to leave a big putt.
Matt makes it and that's a huge par save.
BOGEY FOR ECKROAT AND THOMPSON AT THE 15TH
Austin Eckroat has a bogey putt at the 15th, and makes it, but he and Davis Thompson move back to 27-under and likely heading out of contention.
THREE IN THE LEAD!
The cat is well and truly among the pigeons after Kris Ventura and Kristoffer Reitan make an eagle at the 18th to head to the clubhouse with a share of the lead. They're on 30 under, along with the Fitzpatricks and Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer.
Huge eagle at the last 🦅Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura tie the lead on the 72nd hole @Zurich_Classic!📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/hhbWCevLmmApril 26, 2026
NICE FROM MATT
The Fitzpatricks are in full scrambling mode, and at the 16th, a delicate chip from Matt lines up Alex for a par that will maintain their share of the lead.
NELLY KORDA WINS CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP!
While the outcome of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans remains anyone's guess, it was far more clear-cut in the first women's Major of the year, the Chevron Championship, where Nelly Korda has won the title by five!
TEAM FITZPATRICK HITTING BACK
Alex Fitzpatrick has a 6-iron at the par-3 17th, and that's more like it. He lands it pin-high to leave a much-needed birdie chance for Matt.
SMALLEY AND SPRINGER FINISH WITH BIRDIE
At pretty much the worst time, Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer bogeyed the 17th to drop them one back of the leaders. So, can they bounce back? Yes, Smalley finishes with a birdie at the 18th and they head to the clubhouse tied for the lead.
A DOOR OPENS FOR TEAM FITZPATRICK
With Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, and Kristoffer Reitan and Kris Ventura, in the clubhouse at 30 under, Team Fitzpatrick have the chance to take the solo lead at the 17th with a birdie chance. Matt fails to convert but they take the par and it's onto the par-5 18th for the chance to seal it.
SOLID FROM MATT
Is Matt Fitzpatrick's mojo returning at the perfect time? It looks like it. He likes his tee shot at the 18th, quickly picking up his tee before the ball bounces down the middle of the fairway. A birdie will do at the par-5 for the title to be Team Fitzpatrick's.
TEAM FITZPATRICK EDGE CLOSER
Alex Fitzpatrick finds a bunker with the second shot, but that shouldn't worry Matt too much, with an up-and-down needed for the win.
BEAUTIFUL FROM MATT FITZPATRICK
Matt Fitzpatrick, that is a thing of beauty! He chips the ball out of the bunker and to within a foot or so of the cup to leave Alex with a tap-in for victory!
TEAM FITZPATRICK WINS THE ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS!
Alex Fitzpatrick has the chance to putt from a foot to win his maiden PGA Tour title and brother Matt's third of the season. Surely he can't miss? And he doesn't!
The Fitzpatricks have won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans!
For Alex, it means a PGA Tour card and spots at the PGA Championship, Signature Events and The Players. For Matt, it's a third PGA Tour title in four starts. What a week for the siblings!
