Fitzpatricks on Fire in New Orleans – One Shot Off The Lead

TPC Louisiana is playing host to the Zurich Classic once again, with this week bringing a whole host of teams to New Orleans.

The word ‘teams’ is rarely seen on the PGA Tour schedule, but an exception is made here as the format is played in doubles, alternating between fourballs and foursomes to make for a great watch.

Fourball is undoubtedly easier, with two attempts at each hole, which is why today’s leaders sit at 11 under par after making their way around for a score of 61.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Front and center, you have the Fitzpatrick brothers. With Matt fresh off a win at the RBC Heritage, he’s shown up here and stormed out of the gates.

The ability to hear player/caddie (and, in this case, player-player) conversations is undoubtedly a privilege of attending these events, and the communication between the Fitzpatrick brothers was an integral part of their success today.

Simple comments like “take your time”; a phrase you wouldn’t hear golfers say to each other unless they were very close, for fear of upsetting the mindset or routine of a teammate.

For brothers, it’s an easy spot. Alex was rushing, Matt slowed him down.

On the 5^th, Alex made a sloppy chip from greenside, one quick look at Matt, and he composed himself, nominated to go first – drained the par from the fringe, and then Matt stepped up and rolled in the birdie. This was a theme throughout the front nine (their back nine today due to a 10^th tee start) – they backed each other up when required.

Matt would sometimes go first – hit a steady shot to the greens centre – rolling putts in where required, and Alex was then able to fire at pins and be more aggressive.

A lot of fun today! 🐦 pic.twitter.com/KTGa30R0XI

— Matt Fitzpatrick (@MattFitz94) April 20, 2023

Earlier in the week, Alex was asked about his game plan for the week.

“Hopefully, I kind of piggyback off him this week, and yeah, we kind of ham-and-egg it and, hopefully, a good result at the end of the week,” Alex said. “Ham-and-egg it,” said Matt, who lasted all of three months at Northwestern. “Wow, you turned very American in your four years at college.”

Ham-and-egg means a complementary partnership in which one steps up when the other isn’t performing and vice versa.

This is a fantastic mindset for fourballs and one that worked wonders today at TPC Louisiana.

Alex was given the freedom to fire at pins – provided he could get up and down when he needed to, which he did plenty of times. He hit some wayward drives, but so did Homa and Morikawa – and he held his own on the putting green.

His brother might be the U.S. open champion but Alex Fitzpatrick is holding up his end of this team.

The Fitz’s move it to -9 through 16 to be just one back. Now +2000 with DraftKings at the Zurich Classic. pic.twitter.com/SRL7sNKLWa

— Golfbet (@Golfbet) April 20, 2023

Alex was in a group with his brother – the reigning US Open champion, two-time major champion and World #13 Collin Morikawa, and World #7 Max Homa. If you’re not up to scratch, it’ll show. The Fitzpatricks shot four strokes better than their American counterparts, who spent a fair amount of time in the trees and scrambling for par on their way to a 66, which places them T35 after Thursday.

And Alex is not living in his brother’s shadow, he wants to burst onto the scene, too. He can be seen here grinding at the range after his round, sat in a T2 position going into Friday.

“I’m literally hitting one more” 😂

The grind never stops for @FitzAlex99, who currently sits atop the leaderboard @Zurich_Classic with his brother @MattFitz94. pic.twitter.com/5tH5Y2Xkah

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 20, 2023

Foursomes brings a different challenge, where he will be relied upon every other shot. I am convinced the Fitzpatricks will be in the mix on Sunday, if not leading the charge. They are surrounded by some solid pairs, sitting one shot back at ten under par.

The brotherly element of their team may come to the fore when it is needed most, and Matt will continue weaving his story of success into the history of the American Tour, but this time – alongside his little brother.

Cover Image Via Twitter