Fitzpatricks one shot off lead in PGA pairs event

Fitzpatricks one shot off lead in PGA pairs eventImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Matt Fitzpatrick and his brother Alex have played the event together since 2023, but missed the cut last yearByCraig NelsonBBC Sport journalistPublished4 minutes agoZurich Classic of New Orleans, second round-16 Smalley/Springer (US); -15 Eckroat/D Thompson (US), Hoge/Horschel (US), A Fitzpatrick/M Fitzpatrick (Eng)Selected others: -14 Reitan/Ventura (Den); -13 Power/Schmid (Ire); -12 Rai/Theegala (Eng); -11 Brown/Parry (Eng), Penge/Wallace (Eng), -9 Lowry/Koepka (Ire/US)Full leaderboardEnglish brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick joined forces to continue their fine individual seasons by carding the round of the day in a PGA pairs event.They hit a seven-under 65 to move one shot off the lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, behind American pair Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer, who lead on 16 under after two rounds.The event is played over four rounds at TPC Louisiana, with teams of two alternating between four-ball (best ball) in the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and fourth rounds.The Fitzpatricks were six shots behind overnight leaders Smalley and Springer after carding a 64 in their opening round, but fired an eagle and six birdies, with just one dropped shot, to move up the leaderboard on Friday. Matt Fitzpatrick has risen to number three in the world rankings following two victories on the PGA Tour this season. The 31-year-old from Sheffield won at the Valspar Championship in March and beat world number one Scottie Scheffler in a play-off to claim the RBC Heritage last weekend. Meanwhile, his younger brother Alex, 27, claimed his first career title on the DP World Tour in March at the Hero Indian Open."Obviously playing here as a family has been great for us, not seeing each other that much in the year," said Alex.The English pair are in a three-way tie for second place on 15 under, alongside Americans Davis Thompson and...