Brooks Koepka has partnered with Shane Lowry for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which starts Thursday at TPC Louisiana. The pairing might surprise fans given past Ryder Cup rivalries, but Lowry said it makes sense to them. Koepka aims to boost his FedEx Cup standing with the help of the Irish Open champion.
The Zurich Classic features self-selected two-man teams competing in four-ball for the first and third rounds, and foursomes for the second and final rounds. While most pairings like the Fitzpatrick brothers or defending champions Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak seem straightforward, Koepka and Lowry stand out. They first connected years ago on the DP World Tour and have crossed paths in Florida golf circles, including a round at Michael Jordan's Grove XXIII where Lowry proposed the partnership. Lowry recounted asking Koepka during that match, and he agreed on the spot after confirming his participation plans. Lowry had previously teamed with Rory McIlroy, winning in 2024, but McIlroy opted out this year, leaving Lowry in need of a partner. Koepka, returning to PGA Tour events in January after LIV Golf, requires starts to qualify for Signature Events via FedEx Cup points. Their relationship dates back to 2012 and 2013, with Lowry long acquainted with Koepka's caddie Ricky Elliott, who congratulated him after his 2019 Open Championship win. Despite 2023 Ryder Cup tensions involving European players like Lowry chirping Americans, Koepka noted frequent casual interactions in South Florida. 'Everybody plays the same golf courses, so we see each other pretty much every other day,' Koepka said Wednesday. Betting odds favor them behind the Fitzpatrick brothers. Lowry brings accuracy off the tee and recent putting form, while Koepka excels in approach shots. 'My job is to try and hit it in the fairway,' Lowry said. Koepka praised the setup: 'I like the way we’re going with him hitting off certain holes and me hitting off the other holes.' Lowry added simply, 'He’s Brooks Koepka. He’s got five majors.'
