MPF: Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick Set New Course Record at TPC Louisiana to Win Zurich Classic by Four Shots

Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick shot a tournament-record 15-under 57 in better-ball play on Saturday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, giving them a four-shot lead heading into the final round.

The English brothers fired a 57 (29-28) at TPC Louisiana, making birdie or better on all but four holes and including an eagle at the par-5 seventh hole. Their performance broke the tournament’s single-round scoring record in the better-ball format.

The Fitzpatricks birdied the first two holes of the day before recording back-to-back pars. Matt then went on a heater, making birdies at Nos. 5 and 6 and an eagle at the seventh. Alex birdied holes 8, 10 and 11, while Matt picked up shots at 12, 14 and 15. They closed the round with three straight birdies from Alex to cap off the 57.

Through 54 holes, the duo reached 30-under 186, which is also a tournament record. Their 57 in the third round followed a 7-under 65 in foursomes play on Friday, leaving them at 15-under 129 at the midway point of the event.

“Amazing day. Amazing day,” Matt Fitzpatrick said. “Probably [hasn’t] kind of sunk in how well we played today, if I’m honest. Yeah, it was just hole after hole. The score, I only just realized we finished with five [birdies] in a row. You kind of are thinking about the next shot, so you’re not really thinking about that.”

Matt added about his brother’s performance: “[Alex] was brilliant today. He was faultless truly. 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.”

Alex Fitzpatrick, when asked about the eagle on the 18th hole in Friday’s foursomes round, said: “I didn’t really do anything. I hit a 3-wood to the left side of the fairway, and he just chipped it in. So, yeah, there’s not much more I can add, really.” He also noted: “I just keep listening to him, and they go in,” referring to Matt’s help with reads on the green for short birdie putts.