As a nation, England has been blessed with any number of world-class golfers throughout history from Sir Nick Faldo to Dame Laura Davies and JH Taylor, just to name a few.
But there’s a name missing from that list who I would argue deserves to be included – Matt Fitzpatrick.
For whatever reason, it seems to me as though Fitzpatrick has always just teetered below the level required to gain true respect from golf fans around the world.
That’s despite a glowing amateur career and an ever-expanding list of professional achievements which many 30-year veterans would sign for without thought.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Before turning pro in 2014, Fitzpatrick won The Boys Amateur Championship, the US Amateur and was low am at the 2013 Open Championship. He also claimed the Mark H. McCormack medal as the World Amateur No.1.
He spent just one term at Northwestern University but still managed two team titles with the Wildcats courtesy of a shared victory and a third-place finish in five starts.
Having swiftly moved on from college life in order to chase his professional dream, Fitzpatrick’s ascension through the game was swift but consistent.
The Sheffield-born pro had earned his full-time DP World Tour card by 2015 and tasted success for the first time during his rookie campaign, lifting the British Masters title from Danny Willett, who would go on to win The Masters the following April.
Coincidentally, Fitzpatrick’s highest career finish at Augusta National took place in 2016 as he ended T7th. Another DP World Tour win was not far behind and Fitzpatrick earned himself automatic qualification onto Team Europe’s Ryder Cup roster as a 22-year-old.
A few months later, Fitzpatrick claimed his maiden DP World Tour Championship – comfortably the biggest win of his career at that stage – via a one-stroke success over Tyrrell Hatton.
Fast forward five years and the Englishman had landed four more DP World Tour prizes (one of which was another DP World Tour Championship) and had racked…
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