This is doable,” says Sky Sports’ Wayne Riley, as Matt Fitzpatrick steps into a fairway bunker on the final hole of the US Open with a one-shot lead, his ball in an awkward spot behind an island of grass within the trap. Be honest, you were grimacing, half hiding behind the sofa! His pursuer, Will Zalatoris, having found the fairway, is poised to fire one in close. He does so, but not before Fitzpatrick had produced “one of the best shots I’ve hit of all time”.
We should never have doubted him – the Sheffield man with nerves of steel. These were the headlines that were going to be written, not a tale of disappointment, as it was in May when Fitzpatrick suffered a miserable final day at the US PGA Championship, shooting a three-over 73 to miss out on a play-off by two shots.
At Brookline, scene of his US Amateur victory in 2013, Fitzpatrick was a different beast. Cool, calm and collected, with the exception of a rare show of emotion on the 13th, where he drained a near 50-footer to take the lead and show that his fist-pumping is up there with the best of them. It was an extraordinary moment, bettered only by that “squeezy fade” from the bunker on 18. And to think this was the one area of the game he had been struggling with.
“The feeling is out of this world,” said Fitzpatrick afterwards, grinning from ear to ear. “It is so cliche, but it’s stuff you dream of as a kid. I can retire a happy man tomorrow.” This last part may not be strictly true. Fitzpatrick has always been open about his ambitions, and even before breaking his Major duck at the US Open, he had talked about his quest to win multiple Major titles.
Bu hikaye Golf Monthly dergisinin August 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Golf Monthly dergisinin August 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
How to organise the perfect golf day
Golf Monthly's guide to arranging and running a memorable and successful event
A LEGEND
Michael Weston makes a pilgrimage to Pedrena in Spain to visit Seve's family home and talk about his life and legacy with his children
"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"
Alison Root sits down for a chat with Anna Nordqvist, the three-time Major Champion and first playing assistant captain in Solheim Cup history
STOKE PARK
I never expected to write about Stoke Park again after its closure in 2021, but it seems reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.
PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS
Scottie Scheffler is a remarkable golfer who is well on his way to becoming an all-time great. Michael Weston analyses his accomplishments and explores his life to date...
A CLUB-FITTING DEBUT
Nick Bonfield, a 9.4-handicapper, had no previous experience of being fitted for irons prior to his visit to Gainsborough. How did the custom-fit rookie find the whole process?
ALL BASES COVERED
The new range of irons from Ping caters for golfers of all abilities, with crisp, clean looks and design complemented by various clever performance-enhancing technologies
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
With the AIG Women's Open at St Andrews, the Olympics and the Solheim Cup still to come, Georgia Hall has everything in place for a summer charge
GOLD STANDARD
The Olympic golf tournaments for men and women take place at Le Golf National near Paris from August 1 to 10. Fergus Bisset gives the lowdown on golf at the Games
BEST LAID PLANS
Bill Elliott looks forward to another gruelling week of golf at Royal Troon, where the world's finest players are always tested to their limits