Matt Fitzpatrick helps brother win PGA Tour card as pair become first siblings to win event

Matt Fitzpatrick helped his brother, Alex, earn his tour card, making them the first brothers to win a PGA Tour event.

The English pair secured their triumph at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans pairs tournament, held at TPC Louisiana.

Matt arrived at the tournament in exceptional form, having already claimed two victories this season, including the RBC Heritage just seven days earlier.

Despite entering Sunday's final round with a commanding four-stroke advantage after setting a tournament record on Saturday, the Fitzpatricks found themselves in a tense battle for the title.

Their rhythm deserted them on the back nine, with a double bogey at the 12th hole followed by a dropped shot at the 14th.

These costly errors allowed their rivals to close the gap dramatically.

Norwegian pairing Kristoffer Reitan and Kristoffer Ventura, along with American duo Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, capitalised on the Fitzpatricks' struggles.

By the time the English brothers reached the 18th hole, both challenging teams had already posted their scores in the clubhouse.

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The tournament had become a three-way deadlock at 30 under par, setting up a nerve-shredding finale.

Alex hit his shot into the sand, but was saved by his brother, known for incredible bunker plays, producing a great shot that rolled to within a couple of yards of the hole.

His younger brother then calmly converted the birdie putt to seal their place in the record books.

Alex now has a tour card through 2028 and will feature in the rest of the signature events this year, including the PGA Championship next month, and the Players Championship in 2027.

While Alex was on track to earn a tour card through his own merit, heading into this week on tour seventh in the Race to Dubai, with the top 10 on earning PGA Tour status next season, this way is far quicker.

Speaking after, the younger Fitzpatrick said: "Winning a couple of weeks ago on the DP World Tour was the first time that I had an exemption for over a year.

"It's always been a battle to have some form of status somewhere, so it was nice to have some eligibility that I know that I'm going to be okay for a few years. It's pretty surreal. I don't think it will set in for a long time.

"To be sat here doing it with him is the craziest thing ever."

His older brother Matt, who won the 2022 US Open, said: "It was a struggle.

"I was doing zero to help him, but he was fantastic on the back nine. I said: 'Just give us a chance on the last to hit a bunker shot like that.'

"It means the world. I'm absolutely speechless. It was a grind today, but he was unbelievable, and I could not be more proud."

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