South African golfers Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen secured a solid tie for 17th place at the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Sunday.
Navigating the demanding alternate-shot format at TPC Louisiana, the resilient duo carded a final-round 69 to finish at 24-under par, claiming a highly lucrative payday in the process.
The pair pocketed a handsome $50,191.50 (about R900 000) each for their efforts in the team event. The closing round, renowned for punishing even minor errors, saw the South African pairing expertly negotiate the course to solidify their spot inside the top 20, according to USA TODAY.
Zurich Classic: How did Fitzpatrick brothers win?
While the South Africans impressed, it was an unforgettable week for Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Fitzpatrick, 27. The English siblings combined to clinch the Zurich Classic title, dramatically sealing the victory with a birdie on the final hole.
The brothers held a four-shot lead heading into Sunday but saw that advantage evaporate as they approached the par-5 18th. However, Matt delivered a sensational bunker shot to within a foot of the pin, leaving Alex with an easy tap-in for the win.
A life-changing triumph for Alex
The victory was particularly poignant for Alex, as it officially secured his PGA Tour card for the next two years. Matt arrived fresh off a victory at the RBC Heritage, making this his second consecutive win on tour.
The champions shared a staggering portion of the $9.5 million overall purse, taking home $1,372,750 each.
Meanwhile, Bezuidenhout and Van Rooyen will leave New Orleans with their heads held high, form intact, and their bank balances significantly boosted.
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