Hayden Springer: Runner-up with Smalley in NOLA

Springer and partner Alex Smalley recorded a 30-under cumulative score at the Zurich Classic to finish tied for second and one stroke behind winners Alex Fitzpatrick and Matt Fitzpatrick.

Analysis:

Springer and Smalley went 24-under across the two Best Ball rounds Thursday and Saturday, and they did just enough in the final round (four-under 68) to enter the clubhouse tied at the top of the leaderboard, though a playoff didn't transpire after the Fitzpatrick brothers birdied the 72nd hole. The victory would've earned Springer a PGA Tour exemption through the end of the 2028 season, but that instead when to Alex Fitzpatrick. Instead, Springer will continue to grind on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he has made the cut in seven of eight events with one top-20 finish (T6 at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic in January).