Additional Coverage:
Matt Fitzpatrick received a five-word, expletive-filled text from Rory McIlroy after an extraordinary bunker shot at the Zurich Classic, a moment that helped secure his brother Alex a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
The Fitzpatrick brothers claimed the $1,372,750 first-place prize in New Orleans following Matt’s nearly perfect shot from a bunker on the par-five 18th hole. Needing a birdie to avoid a playoff after a few bogeys, Matt’s precision left the ball just 12 inches from the hole, setting up Alex for an easy putt to clinch the victory.
This win grants them a two-year Tour exemption, entry into remaining signature events through 2026, and a spot in the 2026 PGA Championship. The moment came shortly after McIlroy was seen looking somber with his wife Erica, following a loss of $1.9 million in Masters prize money.
Coming off a signature event win at the RBC Heritage, Matt was in outstanding form, while McIlroy had opted out of that tournament after successfully defending his Green Jacket at Augusta National.
In a video shared by the PGA Tour, the brothers were shown celebrating immediately after their win. Alex asked Matt if his phone was blowing up, to which Matt responded, “It’s Rory. ‘What a f—— bunker shot!’”
Alex, who earned his first DP World Tour victory just weeks earlier at the Hero Indian Open and entered Zurich via a sponsor’s exemption, expressed his emotions: “I’m still lost for words. Just an overwhelming emotion of happiness.
Like Matt said, at the start of the week it was about being a family, spending time together, eating Mr. B’s, and having a great week.
To be here now and achieve this, I’m pretty speechless.”
Matt Fitzpatrick has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season so far, with a top-10 finish in Phoenix, second place at the Players Championship, a win at the Valspar Championship, and a signature event victory at Sea Pines.
Reflecting on the significance of the Zurich Classic win amid an already impressive year, Matt said, “It’s really hard for me personally because of what I’ve been fortunate to achieve so far. A U.S.
Open is a major, and that course was special to me. The Heritage win was something I dreamed of since I was a kid.
But winning a team event on the PGA Tour with my brother-I don’t know if it gets better than that. For me, it ranks just under a major.
Winning this together with Alex, that’s how special it feels. To get it done the way we did and hang in there on the back nine, it’s incredible.”