Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry Miss Cut at Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry were eliminated from contention at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after missing the cut following the second round of play at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. The high-profile pairing, which teamed up for the first time in 2026, failed to advance to the weekend rounds after a combined 36-hole score of nine-under 133, finishing one shot outside the cut line.
The duo began their campaign with a solid four-ball round of 66 on Thursday, positioning themselves in early contention. However, their alternate-shot foursomes effort on Friday yielded a 69, which proved insufficient to secure a weekend spot. According to the official leaderboard, the cut was set at 10-under par, meaning Koepka and Lowry’s total of nine-under left them just shy of qualifying for Saturday and Sunday’s play.
Lowry, the defending champion who won the event in 2024 alongside Rory McIlroy, had sought a new partner after McIlroy opted not to return to New Orleans this year. In explaining his decision to team with Koepka, Lowry highlighted the five-time major champion’s resume as a key factor, noting his preference for partners with multiple major victories. Koepka, who had recently returned to the PGA Tour after a stint with LIV Golf, acknowledged the pairing’s potential, citing the complementary nature of their games—particularly Lowry’s driving and short game alongside his own iron play.
Despite the early exit, both players expressed optimism about their collaboration. Lowry described the partnership as enjoyable and grounded in mutual respect, even as Koepka emphasized the fun and chemistry they shared on the course, even in defeat. Their performance stood in contrast to other notable teams that advanced, including Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who held the 36-hole lead at 16-under, and Matt Fitzpatrick and his brother Alex, who surged into a share of second place with a seven-under 65 in the foursomes format on Friday.
The Zurich Classic remains the PGA Tour’s only official team event, utilizing a combination of four-ball and alternate-shot formats over the first two days. With Koepka and Lowry now out of the field, attention turns to the remaining teams competing for the title over the weekend.