Matt Fitzpatrick “leaves no stone unturned” in his determination to improve every day, says Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir
“I can’t think of a more deserving person to have joined the most important winning golf club than Matt Fitzpatrick,” says Jamie Weir of Sky Sports.
Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Open in Brookline on Sunday night after holding on to teammate Will Zalatoris in an exciting final round.
The victory puts the 27-year-old from Sheffield in good company after becoming the only second man – after the great Jack Nicklaus – to win the US Amateur and US Open on the same venue.
“His meticulous diligence and dedication to his craft is quite incredible to see. He leaves no stone unturned in his determination to improve every day. His meter books are like encyclopedias; every time he receives them – in tournament games, training rounds, even casual ones, bumps with friends: sign up, to refer to it and learn from it, “Weir said.
“This year his tireless work has paid off, taking his game to a whole new level. He has been constantly challenged on the PGA Tour, without overcoming any of them, he competed in the PGA Championship and now he has achieved one of the best games of the game coveted titles.
Use the Chrome browser to get a more accessible video player
Fitzpatrick lost his words after claiming his maiden title
Fitzpatrick lost his words after claiming his maiden title
“The transformation in his game is truly extraordinary. He was once seen as one of the lowest hitters in golf, now he’s right among the longest players. I made nine holes with him on Thursday; he was playing alongside Dustin Johnson, known for hit the ball a mile of country, and Fitz overtook him on several occasions.
“In Monster 15, he was the only player of the week I saw him drive down the path that dissects the fairway: about 375 feet from the tee! During the final round, many of the game’s great cannons: Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm – He tried to drive the green on par 4 short 5th None of them got it, Fitz did.
“In his last round, he hit 17 of the 18 greens in regulation. That’s almost unthinkable with the demanding test that always offers a US Open and considering the tiny greens in Brookline. last group on the last day, with the added pressure that comes with it, and it will be one of the biggest final rounds of all time in any major championship, and in terms of your shot from the fairway bunker to the 72nd hole. .. it will definitely be one of the best shots of all time. “
Weir continued: “And all this just a month after an experience that may have marked minor players; in the Tulsa PGA Championship, again in the final group on a Sunday in a major, he couldn’t really get ahead. It was a day when he clung to the game but clearly didn’t do his best, as he lost a couple of times in the next playoffs. I do, can I deliver this time?
Use the Chrome browser to get a more accessible video player
He claimed his first major title at the U.S. Open with a pair of two putts in the 72nd hole
He claimed his first major title at the U.S. Open with a pair of two putts in the 72nd hole
“The answer to both questions, in the case of Fitz, was yes, and only a few weeks later. The resilience needed to not only ignore this disappointment, but use it as fuel to close the deal in the next championship. important is a testament to his mental strength, from his first shot on Sunday to his 68th hit of the day, a tap-in on green number 18, this was a different Matt Fitzpatrick. , totally focused and determined to take advantage of this opportunity.
“But it’s more than all that. The reason it’s going to be such a popular victory is for who Fitz is as a person. You couldn’t want to meet a nicer, more real character. He’s humble and self-sufficient. He despises and possesses wit. The Yorkshire trademark is dry, there is no air or thanks in it, and this victory may change his life, but it will not change him in the slightest.
“On Wednesday last week, I agreed to interview him after he had finished training. I left, chatted with some caddies and lost track of time. My phone rang in my pocket, a message from My camera text Chris: “We look forward to seeing you!” players would not have bothered. “
Speaking of Fitz’s family history, Weir said, “It’s no wonder when you meet his family. Fitz is cut from the same fabric as his parents, Russell and Sue; Chris and I made a few holes with them in the Ryder Cup last September and it’s very easy to talk to them. Outwardly confident, he loves the ground like a big man.His brother is still in. He is just starting his professional golf career, but he couldn’t ask for a better model to learn from.
Use the Chrome browser to get a more accessible video player
Fitzpatrick produced an incredible shot from the bunker at the 72nd hole of the US Open in Brookline
Fitzpatrick produced an incredible shot from the bunker at the 72nd hole of the US Open in Brookline
“He’s also surrounded by good people. His manager Ted is lovely, friendly and very accommodating. Always with a big smile on his face, he leans in to help you. Many in the world of golf are equally delighted. his caddy Billy Foster, a 40-year veteran who has worked with some of the best players in the game: Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke, to see how excited he was when he realized he had finally been. part of a major winning team, it was a lovely moment.
“Brookline Country Club could not have been a better place. The course itself was wonderful and offered drama and a stacked ranking, which included the top three players in the world and a number of important champions. How It Took 34 years at the USGA, finally returning to the Open is disconcerting, and hopefully the wait for the next one will be much shorter.
“It is also the place where, in 1913, the caddy Francis Ouimet sensationally won the U.S. Open and, in doing so, brought golf to the masses of the United States. Its impact cannot be underestimated. in the game.
“Exactly a century later, 18-year-old Matt Fitzpatrick won the American amateur there, a feat rarely achieved by foreign players. And nine years after that victory, he has won the big, the biggest that quickly It is becoming a happy hunting ground for European golfers.After Tony Jacklin’s victory in 1970, there was a 40-year wait for the continent’s next winner as he dodged greats of the game. such as Faldo, Ballesteros, Langer and Lyle, and Europe has now provided six of the last 13 champions.
“The scenes on Brookline’s No. 18 Green, when Matt Fitzpatrick, visibly stunned, was hugging his mother and father, his brother and Rory McIlroy welcomed him to the main club, summed up what golf is all about. glory in which all the hard work and sacrifice has paid off and you have followed in the footsteps of the game’s legends. “
Use the Chrome browser to get a more accessible video player
Brad Faxon analyzes Fitzpatrick’s unique and awkward chip style
Brad Faxon analyzes Fitzpatrick’s unique and awkward chip style
Weir added: “In the midst of the euphoria, Fitz would have had no idea what his winning check was; it was about achieving a lifelong goal, being able to be a great champion, achieving an awesome trophy and see it – the names Nicklaus, Palmer, Hogan, Jones, Woods and now Fitzpatrick are engraved on it.
“There are people who intend to break the game of golf, regardless of its history or tradition. One of the most dramatic and exciting last days in the recent history of the Grand Championship, topped by a shot that will be repeated for many years by Vine and the singing of a worthy, humble and fully deserved champion is proof that there are things that money cannot buy. “