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04/23 18:18 CDT Fitzpatrick brothers 6 shots behind Smalley and Springer at
Zurich Classic
Fitzpatrick brothers 6 shots behind Smalley and Springer at Zurich Classic
By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
AVONDALE, La. (AP) --- Matt Fitzpatrick, fresh off his RBC Heritage victory,
teamed with younger brother Alex to shoot an 8-under 64 in better-ball play
Thursday in the Zurich Classic, leaving the English duo six shots behind Alex
Smalley and Hayden Springer.
Smalley and Springers matched the tournament record with a 58.
Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, who comprise the most accomplished team at the
par-72 TPC Louisiana this week, shot a 66 to leave them outside the top 40 and
in danger of missing the cut --- unless they can make a strong push Friday in
alternate-shot play.
The format returns to better ball Saturday, and back to alternate shot Sunday.
Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat were a shot behind after a round in which
they followed Eckroat's eagle on the par-5 seventh with eight straight birdies.
Two teams were tied for third at 60: Sam Stevens and Zach Bouchou, along with
Eric Cole and Hank Lebioda. Billy Horschel --- the only player to win the
Zurich in both single-play and team formats --- was again in the hunt when
after he and Tom Hoge shot a 61 to put them in a seven-way tie for fifth.
Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala each made eagles --- Rai by spinning in a
106-yard approach shot on the par-4 13th --- and posted a 62.
Smalley, who has never won on the PGA Tour, made a 19-foot eagle put on the
par-5 second hold after sinking a 16 1/2-footer to bridie No. 1. His tee shot
on No. 3 landed within 7 feet to set up another birdie to put his team at 4
under.
The pair of 29-year-old Americans then combined to birdie 10 of their final 14
holes. Springer, also seeking a maiden tour triumph, accounted for the final
four birdies, highlighted by his 36-foot putt on the par-3 17th.
A large gallery gathered at the first hole to watch the Fitzpatricks tee off in
the same group with Lowry and Koepka on a sunny, breezy, 80-degree afternoon.
Koepka --- in his first season back on the PGA Tour after four years with LIV
Golf --- entered the week needing a good showing to earn his first exemption
for a signature event, the next of which takes place next week at Trump
National Doral in Miami.
Lowry carried their team early, with birdies on five of the first eight holes.
Koepka finally pitched in with a 31 1/2-foot birdie putt on 10, but the pair
did not better that par the rest of the way.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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