Rory McIlroy sent a colourful message to Ryder Cup teammate Matt Fitzpatrick after the Englishman and his brother Alex clinched the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The victory marked a standout moment for the Fitzpatrick siblings, who secured the title by a single stroke and pocketed $1.43 million each.
McIlroy's Message
The PGA Tour shared behind-the-scenes footage of the winning pair comparing phone messages after their triumph. Matt Fitzpatrick revealed he had received a message from McIlroy that simply read: "What a ******* bunker shot!" The remark referred to a crucial bunker shot that set Alex up for a birdie, sealing the win. Alex was equally impressed, telling his brother: "I just watched it, it was one of the most disgusting bunker shots ever."
McIlroy and Lowry's Absence
McIlroy was notably absent from this year's tournament, temporarily halting his partnership with close friend Shane Lowry. Lowry, who opted to play with a new partner, teamed up with Brooks Koepka. However, the pair failed to make the cut despite shooting nine under par across the first two rounds. Lowry explained his partner search: "I asked about 10 or 12 other guys first and they all said no. Rory quickly said after last year, I don't think he wanted to come back."
McIlroy and Lowry had won the event in 2024 following a play-off against Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer. They attempted to defend their crown in 2025 but finished tied for 12th, well behind winners Ben Griffin and Andrew Nowak.
Fitzpatrick Brothers' Victory
The Fitzpatrick brothers' triumph saw them follow in the footsteps of McIlroy and Lowry. Every putt proved crucial, with Norwegian pair Kristoffer Reitan and Kristoffer Ventura and American duo Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer both finishing just one shot behind. The win was a special moment for the Fitzpatrick family, with Matt and Alex becoming the latest sibling duo to claim a PGA Tour title.
Koepka, who rejoined the PGA Tour after a stint with LIV Golf, finished tied for 12th at the Masters earlier this year, where McIlroy retained his crown. Lowry reflected on the process of finding a new partner: "I met Brooks down in Florida at a place where we both practice just after Christmas and mentioned that I might need a partner for New Orleans. He said he'd be up for it and it kind of went from there."
