Patrick Smith / Getty Images
Matt Fitzpatrick is a great champion for the first time.
The 27-year-old won the 2022 US Open on Sunday at the Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Fitzpatrick finished six less, a better shot than Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler. In the final round he signed a two under 68.
PGA TOUR @PGATOUR
Advance to Brookline pic.twitter.com/r4OhJIGFVE
A two-stroke swing between Fitzpatrick and Zalatoris at hole 15 was the turning point of the day. Both hit their starting shots in the dirt, but their luck diverged in their second shots.
Fitzpatrick landed on the green and was left with a 19-foot birdie putt. Zalatoris found the sand. A bird and a bogey later, Fitzpatrick was left with two clear shots in the first place.
US Open (USGA) @usopengolf
Two shots in front and the family loves it! ⁇ pic.twitter.com/y3M4LVCfil
With a hole to play, Fitzpatrick’s pillow had been reduced to a shot. This at least allowed him a margin of error, as he made the only mistake he could not afford at number 18. He stuck his exit shot to a street bunker.
Knowing that a pair was still enough to probably avoid a playoff, Fitzpatrick unleashed a masterful approach that put him just 18 feet from the cup. He put two on par to stay six below.
This left the door slightly open for Zalatoris, who was 14 feet from a birdie opportunity. His putt missed to the left by inches, securing Fitzpatrick’s title.
US Open (USGA) @usopengolf
The moment pic.twitter.com/YveBUjjfL4
2022 US Open Dashboard
1. Matt Fitzpatrick (-6)
T-2. Scottie Scheffler (-5)
T-2. Will Zalatoris (-5)
4. Hideki Matsuyama (-3)
T-5. Collin Morikawa (-2)
T-5. Rory McIlroy (-2)
T-7. Adam Hadwin (-1)
T-7. Denny McCarthy (-1)
T-7. Keegan Bradley (-1)
T-10. Gary Woodland (E)
T-10. Joel Dahmen (E)
Full leaderboard available at PGATour.com
The Country Club has been relentless throughout the tournament, and the top six golfers were separated twice in the face of the final round. The stage was set for a spectacular finale on Sunday.
With the top players reaching the halfway point, the U.S. Open had become a three-horse race between Fitzpatrick, Scheffler and Zalatoris. Fitzpatrick was sitting six below, with Scheffler and Zalatoris tied at five below. Collin Morikawa, Hideki Matsuyama and Denny McCarthy were all six shots behind Fitzpatrick and quickly ran out of time to improve their results.
A bad approach to number 17 cost Matsuyama. His shot didn’t reach the green and he rolled to the rough while finally settling for a pair. Things would have gotten a little more interesting if I had gone up to tee 18 at four below.
When his new back started, Scheffler was going in the wrong direction after a good start to the round. Through six holes, he won four times to go six below the overall. But the bogeys attached to numbers 10 and 11 dropped him to four below.
History repeated itself a day after the 2022 Master’s champion was four behind.
Ben Volin @BenVolin
Two days in a row the back 9 chews Scottie Scheffler, especially the small hole 11
US Open (USGA) @usopengolf
Detached bogies for Scottie Scheffler.
Cau a -4. pic.twitter.com/ldVd7bzD6X
Scheffler quickly had company with Fitzpatrick, who also made bogey in holes 10 and 11.
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
These 4th round Matt Fitzpatrick fumbles are a spectacular tribute to the many Northwestern Football quarterfinals we’ve both seen.
Zalatoris had a good opportunity to score the lead goal but the home team’s goalkeeper made the save. His drive at number 12 started on the left, but cut to the right, deep into the heavy stuff on the side of the street. This put him behind the ball eight, but he still almost saved the parity, as his putt was in line with the cup before turning left at the last minute.
Fitzpatrick reluctantly made way for Zalatoris on the pitch. He was in the money with a 48-foot birdie putt to get a part of the first place at five under.
PGA TOUR @PGATOUR
Clutch from 48 feet away 😤pic.twitter.com/Xh79Ffvrj8
Kyle Porter @KylePorterCBS
Winning or losing today, the last two majors have influenced me in Fitzpatrick. I couldn’t be more impressed with his transformation.
Scheffler, on the other hand, was only one behind but could not create any positive momentum. When something finally broke right for him, it was actually a wash because his bird at number 17 was just moments after Fitzpatrick reached number 15.
Rory McIlroy fought consistently in the final round as he counted three birds and three bogeys to the nine forwards. However, he got consecutive birds in numbers 14 and 15, which helped him finish in a tie for fifth place.
TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, is the next stop on the PGA Tour, with the Passenger Championship starting Thursday.
Soon, the next big tournament will be just around the corner. The Open Championship kicks off on July 14 at the legendary St. Andrews Links to Scotland.