Matthew Fitzpatrick had the finest year of his career in 2016 when he claimed the Nordea Masters, which helped him make Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup team, and then added the DP World Tour Championship in the final event of the season. The 24 year old is frustrated that his performances were below par earlier this season with an upturn in form coming just too late meaning he missed out on Thomas Bjorn’s European side who are facing the United States in Paris. The successful defence of his Omega European Masters title came one week after the full team was confirmed.
“It’s disappointing not to make The Ryder Cup side but up until Made in Denmark I wouldn’t say I deserved to be one of the picks because I haven’t played well enough,” says Fitzpatrick. “However, victory in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland was a nice little bonus the week after finding out I’d missed out on the wildcard picks.”
The Yorkshirman was a frustrated figure in his maiden Ryder Cup with the lack of playing opportunities as Europe were demolished 17-11 by the US.
“The 2016 Ryder Cup was a great experience because it was my first Ryder Cup and it was exciting but it was just a bit of a letdown only playing two matches out of the five when one (the singles) is mandatory. It was pretty disappointing to be honest.”
Nevertheless, Fitzpatrick believes Bjorn has made the correct decision opting for experienced members for his wildcard picks this year.
“I think Thomas’ team is really good. He went with experience which is understandable as there are five rookies in the team this year. Everyone has this stereotypical view about rookies perhaps struggling but at least this is a golf course the European rookies are familiar with. Alex Noren and Tommy Fleetwood have both been victorious on Le Golf National so it doesn’t feel like they’re rookies.
“The European team is strong but so is the US and on paper I think the Americans are favourites to win but The Ryder Cup isn’t won on paper!”
