BROOKLINE, Mass. – For the guy who won seven times on the DP World Tour, Matt Fitzpatrick certainly got ears here in the United States.
Despite being a very successful player, often competing and playing in two Ryder Cups, Fitzpatrick was often asked about his lack of victory on American soil.
Well, those questions have come to an end.
At some of the most sacred feet in the country in sports, the Englishman surpassed Will Zalatoris and Scotty Scheffler in a harsh, cloudy week at The Country Club and won the 122nd US Open.
After the 13th won the lead with a 50-foot bird and then the 15th took the lead with a 19-foot bird of the 15th, Fitzpatrick’s 18-foot bid on the final hole to win the championship – set by the brilliant Bunker Blow with 155 yards – missed left. He was left standing to stand on the side of the green while Zalatoris performed a 14-foot birdie putt that would force the playoffs. But Zalatoris’ effort missed by a hair and Fitzpatrick sank into the arms of his caddy, the legendary Billy Foster.
Welcome to the Brotherhood of US Open Champions, Mr. Fitzpatrick.
“The feeling is out of this world,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s such a cliché, but those are the things you dream of as a child. To achieve that, I can retire tomorrow as a happy man.”
A few minutes after earning his biggest win so far, he received a congratulatory invitation from Jack Nicklaus, who became a frequent lunch companion at the Bear Club in Florida. Fitzpatrick, 27, who won the 2013 U.S. Amateur Competition here on the track celebrated by Francis Ouimet in 1913 with his startling unrest over Ted Ray and Harry Vardon, joined the Golden Bear as the only two players to win the US Open and US Open at same course. Nicklaus did so at Pebble Beach in 1961 and 1972. Julie Inkster was the only player to win the US Women’s Amateur and the US Women’s Open on the same track (Prairie Dunes, 1980, 2002).
“Whenever you share a record with Jack Nicklaus, it’s amazing,” Fitzpatrick said. “So I have that too. It’s amazing. He invited me down there at the presentation to congratulate me. I come from someone like that, that means the world.”
BRENAN:A brilliant blow from the bunker on the last hole sealed Fitzpatrick’s historic victory
KISS THE FLAG:Fitzpatrick’s caddy has a special moment after winning the US Open
SPORTS BULLETIN:Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox
Fitzpatrick closed with 2-under-par 68 to finish at 6 under. Zalatoris signed for 69, and Scheffler for 67, as they both finished with 5 less.
It was another heartbreaking end for Zalatoris, who lost in the playoffs to Justin Thomas in the PGA Championship last month. He was left without a win on the PGA Tour, but he is as confident as ever that victory is coming.
“I think this one will probably require a little more processing than (PGA),” Zalatoris said. “As I said, I’m not complaining. I thought I played great all week, especially when I started the start I did today.
“It simply came to our notice then. Obviously I have three runners-up so far in my career in the major categories, I keep knocking on that door. We are obviously doing the right thing. I would pay a lot of money for about an inch and a half, and I would probably be a three-time big champion at the moment. We will just keep doing what we are doing. “
Scheffler, who has won four times this year, including the Masters, held the lead late in the top nine, but again missed the shortest hole on the golf course. After reaching 6 below, Scheffler scored 10 after a stray run and then placed 11 three times (which played only 108 yards) for the gods. He doubled on the 11th in the third round and followed him with three consecutive bogeymen. He made a birdie on the 17th and only missed with 23 feet on the 18th to finish one shot short.
“My game is still in a good place. I gave myself a chance to win the US Open. I played really well under a lot of pressure today. I made some key shots there in the beginning to get started today,” Scheffler said. “I just played quality golf. It happened that the shots went around the edge instead of coming in. It kind of seemed like it was happening most of the week. I hit a lot of good shots, and they just weren’t.” It doesn’t fall. A few breaks here or there, and I’ll be the one holding the trophy.
“With the top of the Fitzi hat. He played really good golf and he definitely deserved to win this event. I don’t know if you noticed, but I feel that he made some extreme improvements in the match. months.”
Former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama hurried home with the best result of the week, 65, and finished in 3 less.
Double main winner Colin Morikawa damaged his chances for a third from 77 on Saturday, but returned from his other 66 and finished in 2 less.
“I hope that many 7 verifications will not come in the future, but that made me focus again and get back to things,” Morikawa said. “Just really start with tee, put him on the waterway, and then take care of it.
Also finished at 2 below was Rory McIlroy, who signed for 69. The four-time main winner has now played 29 major tournaments without winning his fifth.
“Another five in the category. I guess it means nothing,” McIlroy said. “The match is here. The game is here. I have another start next week in Hartford before I go to the Open.
“I will rest for two weeks before the Open Championship and play golf with links and prepare and look forward to it. Again, my game is in good shape. I have another chance this year to try to get that major. “
Fitzpatrick won his first big match in his 26th attempt. He recorded a steady rise every year, and his victory on Sunday moved him to 10th place in the official world golf rankings, which is the first time he has entered the top 10.
He always worked as hard as he could and looked for unconventional ways to improve his game. Such as his crossing of arms crossed earlier this year. Leaving the stick in the hole when putting it on, which started last year. And he always checks his thousands of notebooks that contain data on every hit he has ever hit as a professional.
On the way to rounds 68-70-68-68, Fitzpatrick kept his ball in the game for the most part (in the last round he hit 17 greens in the regular season), did not make a double spell all week (which is a murder in the major), and showed are extremely good overall.
And he used his extra length to add to his arsenal.
With the improvement every year came more and more opportunities for the dramatic. Like his bunker fired at the 72nd hole.
“It’s one of the best shots I’ve ever hit, no doubt about it,” he said. “You look at the whole week, the shots you hit and the different times, it’s weird because it’s probably such a big hit at the moment. To be honest, I’m looking back at my three approaches at 15, 16 and 17 like everyone really, really good shots; 18 was just a small hit and hope. “
With two wins at The Country Club, he now holds a special place in Fitzpatrick’s heart. Whether another major plays here or not, he will definitely be back.
“I like to play this golf course,” he said. “It suits me so well. It suits my game well. I’ve played well for a while and I think everything has fallen into place that it’s going to happen.”
Follow Steve DiMeglia on Twitter @ Steve_DiMeglio.
#Matt #Ficpatrick #wins #major #championship #career