In 2013, a 14-year-old named Alex Fitzpatrick served as a caddie for his older brother Matt, who won the US Amateur Championship in Brookline. This win earned the champion an exemption for the next year’s US Open.
The rest is history: Matt Fizpatrick would return to the same site in 2022 to clinch the major, announcing his arrival as England’s premier golfing talent.
Currently, the 8th ranked player in the world has the opportunity to reciprocate a favor to his younger sibling.
On Thursday, the Fitzpatrick brothers will pair for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a PGA Tour event that will see 80 two-player teams battle it out at TPC Louisiana for a split of the $2,398,000 winner’s purse.
On Sunday, the winning duo will also earn a two-year pass to compete on the PGA Tour. While this may not be a driving force for top players like Fitzpatrick, it could be a significant opportunity for his 24-year-old brother, who is currently ranked 705th in the world and working towards success on the Challenge Tour.
Fitzpatrick expressed his belief to CNN Sport’s Don Riddell that it would be amazing for him without any doubt.
“We are aware of the importance of the situation and the potential outcomes if he succeeds. We remain hopeful that we can achieve our goals.”
Brotherly love
A couple of months after Fitzpatrick’s exciting victory at the US Open, he was competing alongside his younger brother at the Italian Open in Rome.
Following the second round, junior golfer Fitzpatrick had a 0.36 yard lead in average driving distance over the major champion. This small margin prompted a playful text message from Fitzpatrick. He shared the response on his Instagram, which displayed a screenshot of the US Open winner’s name at the top of the leaderboard, along with his brother’s tied-18th position.
Despite their contrasting styles, the pair share a strong bond of brotherly love on the course, despite any teasing or playful jabs.
“My son and I have different strengths in our games,” stated Mr. Fitzpatrick. “I excel at driving, while he excels at iron play. He also has a strong short game, whereas I am skilled at putting.”
Of course, he desires to achieve the best he can, but his journey may differ from mine. The golf industry has evolved since I began, so he will likely concentrate on the Challenge Tour. He is enthusiastic about this opportunity.
“Hopefully, he can emulate my actions.”
It will be challenging to follow in their footsteps.
Fitzpatrick’s victory at the RBC Heritage tournament on Sunday, secured through a thrilling playoff against three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, added to his already impressive accomplishments in the past few years.
The win at Hilton Head, a popular vacation spot for the family from Sheffield, was extra meaningful for the 28-year-old who fulfilled a childhood aspiration of winning a trophy on the Harbour Town course.
He expressed a desire for time travel to be real so that he could go back and inform others of future events.
“I was truly amazed. This was always a goal of mine and it was incredibly meaningful to achieve it.”
In addition, the victory was made even more satisfying by the fact that it came despite the strong crowd support for hometown favorite Spieth. Chants of ‘U-S-A’ could be heard throughout the playoff holes.
Spieth motioned for the crowd to be silent, while Fitzpatrick enjoyed being cast as the antagonist.
He expressed his enjoyment of being a part of it, saying it was a great experience.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to play in that type of environment frequently, but it was truly fulfilling to perform under that level of pressure. I believe that’s what made it even more significant.”
Rome calling
Fitzpatrick is excited for a change in the usual crowd favoritism as Italy prepares to host the Ryder Cup in September for the first time.
The Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome is set to host Team Europe’s attempt to bounce back from a difficult loss to their American competitors at Whistling Straits in 2021.
Fitzpatrick, who was also part of the losing team in 2016, has not yet won a singles match at the biennial tournament. However, if he is chosen, he would arrive in Rome as a much more accomplished player.
He expressed a strong desire to be among the highest performing players during the week and to have a successful performance.
“I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity and I believe the most crucial aspect is to secure a spot on the team. After that, I can focus on enjoying it and giving my best effort to score points for Europe.”
His primary objective for 2023 is to acquire another significant accomplishment to add to his collection of awards. This will be a challenging endeavor, as there are many renowned individuals also striving for the same achievement.
The Englishman had a tied-10th position at The Masters, which showed a solid beginning to the major season. He finished eight strokes behind the dominant winner, Jon Rahm.
The Spanish golfer’s second major win solidified his standing among Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as one of the top three players in the rankings. However, Fitzpatrick, known as the most dedicated golfer on the PGA Tour, is determined not to settle for his current position.
On June 17, 2022, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Brooks Koepka of the United States showed a reaction on the eighth green during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club. The Netflix show “Full Swing” reveals the psychological pressures that professional golfers face, including imposter syndrome, lack of confidence, and emotional breakdowns.
“I refuse to simply accept that others are better than me and settle for mediocrity. That goes against my character,” stated Fitzpatrick.
“I am always seeking ways to enhance and excel, because it is crucial to continuously challenge myself and strive to catch up with others.”
Source: cnn.com
