In 2013, 14-year-old Alex Fitzpatrick served as a caddie for his older brother Matt during the US Amateur Championship in Brookline. This resulted in a win, granting the champion an exemption for the next year’s US Open.
After this event, everything that followed is well known: Matt Fitzpatrick would come back to the same location in 2022 and win the major, marking his emergence as the top golfing talent from England.
Currently, the 8th ranked player in the world has the opportunity to repay a kindness to his younger sibling.
The Fitzpatrick brothers are set to team up on Thursday for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a PGA Tour competition where 80 teams of two will compete at TPC Louisiana for a chance to win a share of the $2,398,000 prize for first place.
The winning duo on Sunday will also be granted a two-year pass to compete on the PGA Tour. While this may not be a driving factor for top players like Fitzpatrick, it could be a significant opportunity for his younger brother, who is 24 years old and currently ranked 705th in the world. This could potentially change his life as he carves out his career on the Challenge Tour.
Fitzpatrick expressed that it would be amazing for him without any doubt, in an interview with CNN Sport’s Don Riddell.
“We are aware of the importance of the situation and the potential outcomes if he succeeds. We are hopeful that we can achieve that.”
Brotherly love
Several months after Fitzpatrick’s stunning victory at the US Open, he found himself competing against his younger brother at the Italian Open in Rome.
Following the second round, the younger Fitzpatrick had a slightly higher average driving distance than the major champion by 0.36 yards. This small margin was enough for Fitzpatrick to send a playful text. In response, Fitzpatrick shared a screenshot of the US Open winner at the top of the leaderboard, along with his brother’s tied-18th position.
Despite their different styles, the pair gets along well on the course and shares brotherly love, despite some teasing.
“Our skills in the game are quite contrasting,” stated the older Fitzpatrick. “While I excel as a driver, he excels as an iron player. He has a strong short game, whereas I am skilled at putting.”
“He surely wants to perform at his best, but his journey may differ from mine. The golf industry has evolved significantly since I began my career, and he will likely focus on the Challenge Tour. He is looking forward to it.”
“Hopefully, he can emulate my success.”
It will be challenging to follow in their footsteps.
Fitzpatrick’s victory at the RBC Heritage on Sunday, clinched through a thrilling playoff against Jordan Spieth, marked another triumphant moment in his already impressive few years.
The 28-year-old achieved a childhood dream by winning at Hilton Head, a popular vacation spot for their family from Sheffield. This victory on the Harbour Town course was made even more significant.
“He expressed a desire for time travel to be possible, so that he could return to the past and inform himself of future events.”
“I was truly amazed. It was a long-standing goal of mine to win, and it was an incredibly special moment when I finally achieved it.”
Not only was the victory incredibly satisfying, but it was also achieved despite the strong support from the crowd for hometown favorite Spieth. Chants of “U-S-A” could be heard throughout the playoff holes.
Spieth motioned for the audience to be silent, but Fitzpatrick embraced his role as the antagonist.
He expressed his enjoyment of being a part of it, stating that it was a great experience.
“I haven’t often experienced playing in that kind of atmosphere, but it was definitely rewarding to perform under that level of pressure. I believe that’s what made it so meaningful.”
Rome calling
Fitzpatrick is excited for a change in crowd favoritism when Italy holds the Ryder Cup in September for the first time.
The Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome will host Team Europe’s attempt to bounce back from their loss against the American team at Whistling Straits in 2021.
Fitzpatrick, a part of the team that was also unsuccessful in 2016, has not yet been victorious in a singles match at the biennial tournament. However, if chosen, he would arrive in Rome as a much more skilled player.
He expressed a strong desire to be among the highest-performing players during that week and to have a strong performance.
“I am filled with anticipation for this opportunity and I believe it is crucial to focus on making the team first. Then, I can look forward to it, savor the experience, and strive to earn points for Europe.”
His primary goal for the year 2023 is to secure another major victory, which will be a difficult accomplishment given the high level of competition vying for the same achievement.
Finishing tied for 10th place at The Masters marked a successful beginning to the major season for the English golfer. He ended up eight strokes behind the dominant winner, Jon Rahm.
The Spaniard’s latest major win solidified his position among the ranks of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, known as the ‘big-three’ in the golfing world. However, despite being dubbed the most dedicated golfer on the PGA Tour, Fitzpatrick has no plans to settle for his current standing.
On June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts, golfer Brooks Koepka from the United States showed a reaction while on the eighth green during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club. Photographer Jared C. Tilton captured the moment for Getty Images. The Netflix series “Full Swing” exposes the mental challenges faced by professional golfers, including imposter syndrome, confidence issues, and breakdowns.
“I refuse to passively accept that they are all superior to me and settle for where I am. That is not in line with my character,” stated Fitzpatrick.
“I am always seeking ways to enhance and advance, and the most crucial aspect is to continuously challenge myself and strive to catch up with others.”
Source: cnn.com
