Last Sunday, 2026 Hero Indian Open winner Alex Fitzpatrick teamed up with brother Matt Fitzpatrick (the 2022 US Open champion) to win the PGA Tour’s US$9.5 million Zurich Classic of New Orleans and thereby guarantee himself full PGA Tour status through 2028, just a few weeks after winning at the DLF G&CC in Gurgaon.
Alex also gets entry into the series of US$20 million “Signature” Events on the PGA Tour, the 2026 PGA Championship and the 2027 Players Championship.
Alex’s brother Matt Fitzpatrick continued his strong run in 2026, claiming his third PGA TOUR title in his last four starts, following wins at the 2026 Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage, last week.
Alex and his brother combined for a record 15-under 57 in better ball in Rd 3 before closing with a 71 in the alternate shot format final round to win by one stroke.
Several past Indian Open winners have progressed to the PGA TOUR or achieved global success. Matt Wallace, the 2018 champion, later earned PGA TOUR status in 2019. Anirban Lahiri, who won in 2015, secured his PGA TOUR card for the 2016 season, while Arjun Atwal, the 1999 winner, earned his card for 2004. Japan’s Keita Nakajima, the 2024 champion, moved to the PGA TOUR after earning his card in 2025. Earlier, Payne Stewart, winner of the 1981 Indian Open, went on to claim two U.S. Open titles in 1991 and 1999.
Photo – DPWT
