Alex Fitzpatrick of England (Image: Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick’s remarkable start to 2026 reached new heights at the Zurich Classic.
The sibling pair captured the Zurich Classic in dramatic fashion on Sunday evening, securing Alex’s spot on the PGA Tour for the next two seasons. Previously competing on the DP World Tour, he will now have the opportunity to face his older brother, Matt, in some of golf’s premier events throughout 2027 and 2028.
Matt’s stunning bunker shot on the 18th hole virtually sealed the victory, with Alex captured burying his head in his hands as his dream materialized before him. It comes after Kai Trump’s medical incident left her needing emergency treatment.
Following their triumph with a short birdie putt on hole No. 18, CBS reporter Amanda Balinois asked Alex whether he accepted his PGA Tour membership, to which the English golfer responded: “Yeah, I do. I do, yeah, yeah.
“It means the world, I’m absolutely speechless,” said Matt, now a three-time PGA Tour victor this year. “It was a grind today and he was unbelievable. I could not be more proud. That was just truly unbelievable.”
The Fitzpatrick brothers celebrate (Image: Getty)
This represents the latest triumph for the brothers in what has been an exceptional beginning to the 2026 golf season. Matt, presently ranked No. 3 globally, claimed the Valspar Championship in March and the RBC Heritage last week, becoming the first player in over two years to secure consecutive PGA Tour victories.
The 31-year-old also recently revealed that he and his wife, Katherine, are expecting their first child. Alex, in the meantime, secured victory at the DP World Tour’s Hero Indian Open in late March before capturing his maiden PGA Tour tournament and clinching his tour card on Sunday, an achievement that could significantly alter the course of his golfing career.
The siblings arrived at the Zurich Classic – the PGA Tour’s sole team competition – as bookmakers’ favorites to claim victory.
And they looked poised to cruise to triumph after recording an impressive 15-under par 57 during Saturday’s best ball round, establishing a four-stroke advantage heading into the final day.
However, during Sunday’s alternate shot format, Matt and Alex struggled to find their rhythm, with each brother repeatedly rescuing the other to remain competitive.
At the 18th hole, the pair found themselves level with two other duos – Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, and Kristoffer Reitan and Kristoffer Ventura – at 30-under par.
Requiring a birdie to secure outright victory and avoid extra holes, Matt executed a bunker shot to within one foot of the cup, leaving his brother with a straightforward tournament-clinching putt.
Alex delivered confidently, sinking the putt before collapsing to his knees with his head buried in his hands. Matt approached in jubilation and the brothers embraced at length, both absorbing the enormity of their accomplishment. Following his triumph, Alex has secured automatic entry into a string of prestigious tournaments: the 2026 PGA Championship, 2026 Cadillac Championship, 2026 Truist Championship, 2026 Memorial Tournament, 2026 Travelers Championship, and the 2027 Players Championship.