PGA Tour card on line for Fitzpatricks during Zurich Classic final round

Golfers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick are in control of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after setting a tournament record on Saturday, April 25.

The Fitzpatricks, brothers from Sheffield, England, fired a 15-under round of 57 in four-ball play to earn a four-shot lead over the field. Sunday’s final round of foursomes will determine the champion in the team event.

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There is more on the line for the Fitzpatricks beyond the $2.7 million top prize. Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, can help his younger brother earn a PGA Tour card for the first time. That’s because the Zurich Classic champions earn an PGA Tour exemption through 2028.

After Saturday’s round, Alex Fitzpatrick, 27, told CBS Sports golf reporter Amanda Balionis he would be happy to join his 31-year-old brother on tour.

“I would say yes. I would never turn it down. As a kid, it’s kinda what you dream to play on, and the PGA Tour is where I want to be. So if that happened tomorrow, I would say yes. But there’s still 18 holes of golf left, so we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

Alex Fitzpatrick plays on the DP World Tour, formerly the European PGA Tour. He claimed his first DP tournament title on March 28, winning the Hero Indian Open. As a result, he ranks seventh on the DP Tour and 141st in the world.

For his part, world No. 3 Matt Fitzpatrick is on a roll. He won the RBC Heritage on April 19, beating world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a playoff. Earlier, on March 22, he claimed the Valspar Championship.

The Fitzpatricks had high hopes entering the Zurich Classic. Now, they are one round for claiming yet another championship. They own a four-shot lead over Davis Thompson-Austin Eckroat and Alex Smalley-Hayden Springer.

“I feel like this year, our expectations are higher given the form that we had shown this year, but if anything, I think because of that form, we’re probably allowed to enjoy it a little bit more,” Matt said, per europeantour.com.