The US Open champion and his younger brother, who needed a sponsor’s invitation to play in the tournament, made five birdies apiece in the opening round of fourball.

Their opening 10-under-par 62 leaves them a stroke behind Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler, who were joined at the top of the leaderboard by Sean O’Hair and Brandon Matthews.

After his win at Hilton Head on Sunday, Matt Fitzpatrick said it was a no-brainer to pair up with his brother who turned pro last year and plays mainly on the Challenge Tour in Europe.

Matt Fitzpatrick of England and Alex Fitzpatrick of England walk on the 10th green during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana (Picture: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

“It was as much fun as I’ve had on the golf course in, well, about four days, to be fair,” he said. “He played great on the back nine and he bailed me out a few times.

“Obviously this was an opportunity to play with my brother and you don’t know how many of those you’re going to get. It was always one I was looking to try and play.”

As well as the £1million top prize for each player, victory here would earn Alex a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour

The duo are tied with four other teams, fellow Englishman Aaron Rai continuing his good form from Hilton Head alongside American David Lipsky. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and Edoardo Molinari were two shots further back ahead of Friday’s second round foursomes.

In the first women’s major, England’s Georgia Hall made a solid start to the Chevron Championship in Texas, with a two-under-par round.

Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick set the pace at Zurich Classic in New Orleans