Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Fitzpatrick combined impressively to move within one shot of the lead at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after the second round.
The English brothers fired a seven-under 65, the joint-best round of the day, to sit on 15 under par, just behind American leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who lead on 16 under.
Strong Charge Lifts Fitzpatricks Up Leaderboard
Starting the day six shots behind, the Fitzpatricks produced a brilliant response, carding an eagle and six birdies with just a single dropped shot to surge into contention.
Their performance moved them into a three-way tie for second alongside the American pairings of Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, as well as Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge.
Unique Format Adds Twist To Competition
The tournament at TPC Louisiana features a distinctive team format, alternating between four-ball (best ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) across the four rounds.
This format often rewards strong partnerships, something the Fitzpatrick brothers are clearly benefiting from this week.
Both Brothers In Fine Individual Form
Matt Fitzpatrick, currently among the world’s top-ranked players, has enjoyed an excellent season with recent PGA Tour victories, including wins over Scottie Scheffler.
Meanwhile, Alex Fitzpatrick claimed his maiden title on the DP World Tour earlier this year, highlighting the pair’s combined momentum heading into this event.
Other Notable Performances
Elsewhere, Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala are on 12 under, while English pairings including Matt Wallace and Marco Penge remain in contention.
However, Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka missed the cut by a single shot after their opening rounds.
With two rounds remaining, the Fitzpatrick brothers remain firmly in the hunt for a breakthrough victory together.
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