For one week each year, the PGA Tour becomes a team game instead of an individual battle. At the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, golfers compete in pairs, and right now, no team may be in better form than Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick.

Matt comes in ranked third in the world (career-high) after beating Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at Hilton Head last Sunday. Alex also won on the DP World Tour in the same month at the Indian Open in March. After four years of playing this event together, the Sheffield brothers have never had a better chance to win.

"It's been a nice start to the year for both of us," Matt said.

"I feel like this year, our expectations are higher given the form that we had shown. We feel like we have as good a chance as anyone."

That confidence comes from results, actually. Matt has two PGA Tour wins in 2026, the Valspar Championship in March and the RCB Heritage at Hilton Head. Alex won on the European Tour in the same month. The brothers are clearly in form, per their impressive recent winnings.

Their best finish at the Zurich was 11th in 2024, and last year they missed the cut.

"Last year, I felt like both of us weren't playing the best of our ability," Alex said. "Coming into the event was a little stressful."

None of that applies now, and for Alex especially, what's on the line this Sunday goes well beyond a trophy.

Why Alex Fitzpatrick Has the Most to Gain This Week

Alex Fitzpatrick is not a full-time PGA Tour player. A win would count as an official PGA Tour victory, but it does not automatically guarantee a Masters spot in the same way some individual events do.

A victory here would help secure Alex’s professional future on the PGA Tour. A Tour victory, as well as a two-year exemption, goes a long way. It would allow him to secure full status and priority entry into events. This win would also grant Matt automatic entry into the PGA Championship.

"That would be something I might be thinking about if we're coming down the stretch on Sunday and we're in contention," he said.

While the Fitzpatrick Brothers seem in terrific form, Wednesday's pro-am brought one moment of levity from Matt, as he pulled out his phone mid-round to check on Sheffield United. The brothers' beloved soccer club had just lost 3-1 to Blackburn.

"Hopefully, we don't play like them," Alex said.

They look unlikely to struggle this week, given their form.

Can the Fitzpatrick brothers go all the way? Let us know in the comments! 

Read more at Club Golf!

Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Surjo Roy