Fitzpatricks Storm Zurich Classic; Theegala & Rai Tied-15th
Synopsis
The Fitzpatrick brothers fired a 7-under 65 to sit one shot off the Zurich Classic lead, while Indian-linked pairs Theegala-Rai (T-15) and Yellamaraju-Gerard (T-26) stay in contention. Nine teams are within two shots of leaders Smalley and Springer heading into a pivotal Saturday better-ball round.
Key Takeaways
Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick shot a 7-under 65 in Round 2 alternate-shot play, trailing leaders by just one stroke at 15-under .
Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer lead at 16-under 128 after setting a tournament record 58 in the opening round.
Sahith Theegala and Aaron Rai are Tied-15th at 12-under after a 2-under second round in New Orleans.
Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Ryan Gerard surged from T-42 to T-26 at 10-under with a 3-under round.
Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka missed the cut by one stroke despite making five birdies , undone by bogeys on Nos.
Nine teams are within two shots of the leaders heading into Saturday's better-ball round .
New Orleans, April 25: The Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the PGA Tour's only team event, witnessed a thrilling second round on Friday as brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick fired a blistering 7-under 65 in alternate-shot format to sit just one stroke behind leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer. Meanwhile, the Indian-linked pairing of Sahith Theegala and Aaron Rai carded a 2-under to hold their position at Tied-15th on 12-under par.
Fitzpatrick Brothers Light Up TPC Louisiana
The Fitzpatrick siblings are playing together for the fourth consecutive year in New Orleans, and their chemistry has never looked sharper. Matt Fitzpatrick, currently ranked third in the world, delivered a highlight-reel moment with a chip-in birdie on the par-5 18th hole, capping off a near-flawless round in alternate-shot play.
Alex Fitzpatrick drained four of the team's six birdie putts, including one from beyond 17 feet, and credited his older brother's meticulous green-reading technique — a routine that sees Matt drop into a near-prone position for a ground-level read, a habit that helped him win the 2022 U.S. Open.
The Englishmen enter Saturday's third round in red-hot form. Matt has claimed two PGA Tour victories since March, including a playoff win over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage last weekend. Alex, meanwhile, captured his maiden DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open last month, making this one of the most in-form brotherly duos in professional golf right now.
Smalley and Springer Protect Their Lead
Leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who shattered the tournament record with an astonishing 58 in Four-ball play during the opening round, posted a Round 2 score of 70 to reach 16-under 128 overall. The record-breaking 58 set the tone for a high-scoring week, and the duo retains a one-stroke advantage heading into the weekend.
Americans Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat also sit in Tied-2nd after a second-round 70, keeping the leaderboard tightly contested. Notably, nine teams enter Saturday within just two shots of the leaders, setting up a dramatic penultimate round.
Theegala-Rai and Indian Interest in the Field
Sahith Theegala and Aaron Rai shot a 2-under in alternate-shot format on Friday, slipping two places from Tied-13th to Tied-15th at 12-under par. While they remain in contention, the pair will need a strong showing in the better-ball format on Saturday to climb back into the top ten.
The other pairing carrying Indian interest — Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Ryan Gerard — delivered an impressive bounce-back, carding a 3-under to jump from Tied-42nd all the way to Tied-26th at 10-under. Their surge reflects the growing depth of Indian golf representation at the highest level of the sport.
Notable Cuts and Weekend Format
High-profile pairings Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka missed the cut by a single stroke despite combining for five birdies. Their undoing came via bogeys on two par-3 holes — Nos. 3 and 17 — a painful reminder of how unforgiving the alternate-shot format can be.
Defending champions Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak narrowly survived the cut at 134, keeping their title defence alive by the slimmest of margins.
The third round on Saturday will see teams compete in the better-ball format, before reverting to alternate shots for the final round on Sunday. With the leaderboard this compressed, the weekend promises to deliver some of the most compelling team golf of the 2025 PGA Tour season.
Point of View
And their comfort in the alternate-shot format — a rarity among top players — gives them a structural edge over rivals. For Indian golf, Yellamaraju's climb and Theegala's steady presence signal that Indian representation on the PGA Tour is no longer symbolic but genuinely competitive.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do Theegala and Rai stand after Round 2 of the Zurich Classic 2025?
Sahith Theegala and Aaron Rai are Tied-15th at 12-under par after two rounds at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. They carded a 2-under in the alternate-shot second round, slipping two spots from their previous Tied-13th position.
Who is leading the Zurich Classic 2025 after Round 2?
Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer lead the Zurich Classic at 16-under 128 after two rounds. They set a tournament record with a 58 in the opening Four-ball round before posting a 70 on Friday.
How did the Fitzpatrick brothers perform in Round 2 of the Zurich Classic?
Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick combined for a 7-under 65 in alternate-shot play on Friday, moving to 15-under and sitting just one stroke behind the leaders. Matt chipped in for birdie on 18, while Alex holed four birdie putts.
Did Sudarshan Yellamaraju make the cut at the Zurich Classic 2025?
Yes, Sudarshan Yellamaraju and his partner Ryan Gerard made the cut and jumped significantly, moving from Tied-42nd to Tied-26th at 10-under after a 3-under second round.
What is the format for the Zurich Classic weekend rounds?
The Zurich Classic's third round on Saturday uses the better-ball format, while the final round on Sunday reverts to alternate shots. The event is the only team competition on the PGA Tour schedule.
