Matt Fitzpatrick convinced brother Alex to play in Zurich Classic in most sibling way possible
By Matt Chivers
Families, eh?
Matt Fitzpatrick wanted to make his debut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2023, but who could he possibly choose as his partner?
You could expect the US Open champion to have his pick of the bunch on the PGA Tour, but instead, he chose to team up with his younger brother Alex.
As Alex is a busy golfer himself, competing on the DP World Tour and the Challenge Tour, you might think it would be difficult to coordinate a week together at TPC Louisiana in April.
This couldn’t have been further from the truth as Matt revealed with a screenshot of their family group chat.
Alex was in from the moment it was suggested. The Fitzpatrick brothers are one of only four pairs to confirm their sports in the unique team event on Tour.
Defending champions Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele have put their names down, as have Billy Horschel and Sam Burns and Max Homa and Collin Morikawa.
Foursomes is played in rounds one and two and fourball is played in the second and fourth. The format changed to a team structure in 2017.
Justin Rose was the last Englishman to taste success at this event in 2015 when it was an individual stroke play event.
Tommy Fleetwood came second alongside Sergio Garcia to Jon Rahm and Ryan Palmer in 2019, with the event canceled a year later due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fitzpatrick will hope to make a strong debut appearance to rediscover his form. He has missed three cuts in his last five appearances on the PGA Tour.
As for Alex, he most recently came tied for 25th at the Hero Indian Open on the DP World Tour and he played once in America at the Valspar Championship in 2022.
Will Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this year? Tweet me and let me know!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
