Matthew Fitzpatrick has been at Brookline before. He was a spindly 18-year-old the first time, hoping to make his mark in one of the preeminent amateur golf events in the United States: the U.S. Amateur Championship at The Country Club.
Fitzpatrick defeated Australian Oliver Goss to claim the 2013 U.S. Amateur, becoming the first Englishman to win the tournament in 102 years.
Fitzpatrick hasn’t been able to reach those heights on American turf in the years since, but that may change soon. The now-27-year old is tied for the lead entering Round 4 of the 2022 U.S. Open at 4 under par after 54 holes.
MORE: U.S. Open 2022 tee times, pairings, featured groups for Round 4
There’s still plenty of golf left to be played, but Fitzpatrick is hoping to make history at the iconic Massachusetts venue one more time — this time by securing his first major victory as a professional.
He’s won here before. 🏆 @MattFitz94 moves to the top of the board. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Q2op16qEEn
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 18, 2022
So, who is Matthew Fitzpatrick? And how did his experience at the 2013 U.S. Amateur help prepare him for the 2022 U.S. Open? The Sporting News explains.
Who is Matthew Fitzpatrick?
Matthew Fitzpatrick is a 27-year-old English golfer seeking his first major victory. Fitzpatrick first made a name for himself at Brookline in 2013 when he hoisted the gold U.S. Amateur trophy alongside his younger brother, Alex, who was his caddie during the tournament.
“That win opened up so many doors for my professional career,” Fitzpatrick told National Club Golfer. “It was something else, really.”
Fitzpatrick has impressed on the European Tour, winning seven events in seven years, including a 2015 British Masters victory where he defeated Shane Lowry.
Slowly but surely, Fitzpatrick’s European success has translated to American courses. He tied for fifth at the 2022 PGA Championship and finished tied for second in the Wells Fargo Championship in May.
Now he has a chance to notch his first major victory. If Fitzpatrick were able to win this year’s U.S. Open, he’d be the first Englishman to win the tournament since Justin Rose did it in 2013. That’s pretty solid company.
How has Matthew Fitzpatrick’s 2013 U.S. Amateur experience helped him at the U.S. Open?
The 2013 U.S. Amateur at Brookline was Fitzpatrick’s first real foray into the American golf. He has been itching to return to the course in a major setting for some time.
“I definitely feel like I’ve probably got a bit more confidence going into the week than some of the players will having played there and done successfully before,” Fitzpatrick told National Club Golfer. “It gives you that confidence boost going into the week, for sure. Although you’ve still got to hit the shots, knowing what you’ve achieved there in the past is a big help.”
He has a chance to once more etch his name into the hallowed course’s history. Fitzpatrick posted a 2-under 68 amid wind gusts of nearly 30 mph Saturday to move into a tie for the lead with Will Zalatoris. Fitzpatrick now in the driver’s seat for his first major pro victory.
Fitzpatrick is disciplined, he’s familiar with the course, and he’s surging at the right time. If he keeps hitting shots like this one, he’ll be primed to to lift another piece of hardware at The Country Club; this time, the U.S. Open trophy.
Absolutely loved that one!! 😅 pic.twitter.com/i4lewsunks
— Matt Fitzpatrick (@MattFitz94) June 16, 2022
MORE: Will Zalatoris says his 67 in Round 3 ‘felt like 61’
