Matt Fitzpatrick returned to the winner’s circle on Monday at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and did so while competing alongside his mother at St Andrews.
Ryder Cup hero Matt Fitzpatrick achieved more success a week after his victory in Rome, winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with his mother, Susan.
Fitzpatrick completed a double at St Andrews, winning the individual pro event against 2022 winner Ryan Fox, Matthew Southgate and Marcus Armitage, as well as the team pro with his mother. Following the cancellation of play on Saturday and Sunday, events at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns were reduced to 54 holes.
Parts of the Carnoustie course were underwater on Sunday, but a huge effort by the three greenkeeping teams ensured the event could finally finish on Monday. And Fitzpatrick took full advantage, shooting a under-par 66 at the Old Course for a total of 19 under par for the event, three shots better than the finalists. The victory became even more special when his mother accompanied him during the 3-day competition affected by the weather.
As the Briton crossed the Swilcan Bridge at the iconic 18th, Fitzpatrick and his mother posed for photos before stepping onto the fairway before being crowned the title winner. This was the Yorkshireman’s first victory since his victory at the 2022 US Open in Brookline last June.
And he appears to be winning alongside his mother, who ranks up there with her major win. Speaking after the round, he said:
“Apart from the weather, it was really a perfect week. Even with all my victories, except for one professional tournament, we will forget them in the future and we will always remember the victory which you won with your mother.”
His victory at the US Open in 2022 proved pivotal in establishing his partnership with his mother, with a major title or top-15 finish allowing players to choose their professional partner at the Tour. Alfred Dunhill Links champion. When asked if this made the event in Scotland even more special, Fitzpatrick replied:
“One hundred percent. Since winning the US Open last year, I know the criteria is that you have to win a major tournament or be Top 15 in the world to be able to choose your partner here.
“That was one of the first things we talked about, could we play Dunhill together, and that’s what we did last year and last year was definitely a warm-up for this year. We did very well this year. »