Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Second Round
Matt Fitzpatrick and his brother Alex have competed together in this event since 2023, having missed the cut last year.
Current standings include:
- -16: Smalley/Springer (US)
- -15: Eckroat/D Thompson (US), Hoge/Horschel (US), A Fitzpatrick/M Fitzpatrick (Eng)
- Selected others: -14 Reitan/Ventura (Den); -13 Power/Schmid (Ire); -12 Rai/Theegala (Eng); -11 Brown/Parry (Eng), Penge/Wallace (Eng); -9 Lowry/Koepka (Ire/US)
English brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick continued their strong individual seasons by delivering the round of the day in the PGA pairs event. They posted a seven-under 65, moving to one shot behind the leaders at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The American duo Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer lead at 16 under after two rounds.
The tournament is held over four rounds at TPC Louisiana. Teams of two alternate between four-ball (best ball) in the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and fourth rounds.
After opening with a 64, the Fitzpatricks were six shots behind overnight leaders Smalley and Springer. On Friday, they recorded an eagle and six birdies with only one bogey, advancing up the leaderboard.
Matt Fitzpatrick has climbed to number three in the world rankings following two PGA Tour victories this season. The 31-year-old from Sheffield won the Valspar Championship in March and recently defeated world number one Scottie Scheffler in a playoff to claim the RBC Heritage title last weekend.
His younger brother Alex, 27, secured his first career title on the DP World Tour in March at the Hero Indian Open.
"Obviously playing here as a family has been great for us, not seeing each other that much in the year," said Alex.
The Fitzpatricks are tied for second place at 15 under alongside Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge.
Six other teams are two shots behind the leaders at 14 under.
Englishman Aaron Rai and American partner Sahith Theegala stand at 12 under, while English pairings Matt Wallace and Marco Penge, and John Parry and Dan Brown are at 11 under.
The cut was made at 10 under par after 36 holes, with the top 33 teams and ties advancing.
Irish Ryder Cup player Shane Lowry teamed with American five-time major winner Brooks Koepka for the first time, but the duo missed the cut by one shot after rounds of 66 and 69.
