MATTHEW FITZPATRICK is steadily fulfilling the promise he displayed since winning the US Amateur Championship in 2013, becoming No.1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. The likeable Sheffield-born 21 year old turned professional at European Tour Qualifying School at the end of 2014 having made the cut in the 2013 Open Championship and the 2014 US Open. He served his apprenticeship on the European Challenge Tour and last year his career simply took off. He tied for 7th in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai then produced an emphatic 2-shot wire-to-wire win at the British Masters supported by SKY Sports at Woburn. The ultra-consistent Yorkshireman celebrated his rookie season by finishing tied fourth at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai completing 10 top 10 finishes in 2015. His tied 7th in last month’s Masters has set Fitzpatrick up for a sensational season with Major glory and a Ryder Cup place firmly in his sights. Here he talks to Worldwide Golf about his game and his down to earth approach to success.
Worldwide Golf: You’re a ‘golf in Dubai’ Ambassador but how important has Dubai been for your career so far, and the time you spent on the Challenge Tour playing events such as the NBO Golf Classic?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: I’m so grateful for the support I’ve had from everyone at ‘Golf in Dubai’. They’re doing so much for the sport in that part of the world and I have always enjoyed my time in Dubai and the UAE. Everyone looks forward to the tournaments in Dubai and the facilities are incredible. Finishing fourth at the DP World Tour Championship last November was a big week for me and I’ve got a lot of happy memories of the place.
Worldwide Golf: Being managed by ISM you are surrounded by experienced players such as Westwood, Clarke, Oosthuizen and former players and ‘old hands’ like Chubby Chandler, Ian and Graham, but what has been the best piece of advice they’ve given you?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: There’s no one bit of advice I regard as the best advice I’ve had. I’m constantly speaking to Chubby about things and it’s great to be around guys like Lee and Darren who have so much experience. Danny Willett is also someone that I’ll take a lot from.
Worldwide Golf: You’ve managed to gain nearly 20 yards to your driving. How have you achieved this and do you believe you still need to find some more distance to take on the bombers?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: Being able to add some length off the tee is really down to the work I’ve been doing with my strength and conditioning coach, Kev Duffy, who is brilliant at what he does. That has certainly paid off for me but I’m really determined to keep my technique and accuracy the same as it’s been. I won’t sacrifice that consistency and accuracy for a few extra yards.”
Worldwide Golf: It’s easy to see why people compare you to Jordan Spieth, with nerves of ‘Sheffield’ steel and a putting stroke to match, but which players do you learn the most from on Tour and why?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: There are so many great examples to follow everywhere you look and you pick up little things from all of the guys you watch when you’re competing. I’d probably say that Rory, Martin Kaymer and Danny are the three I’ve learnt the most from if I had to pick certain players.
Worldwide Golf: As many of the top ranked players failed to master the conditions during the final round at Augusta and for you to shoot 67 must have given you a confidence boost but what else did you take from the week?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK:There were so many positives I took from my week at The Masters. My performance at Augusta has definitely given me the confidence to believe that I can compete at that level and I really feel that what happened has set me up for the year. There’s a lot to look forward to.
Worldwide Golf: You made quite a few notes on the greens and how to play Augusta – is this something you do in detail for most of the courses you play?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: Yes, it’s just something I do all the time. I always keep the old books and refer back to them. One of the big things for me is to identify the the areas where you don’t want to miss. It goes with the job that you have to utilise and learn from your experiences of the different courses we play.”
Worldwide Golf: What were your thoughts when you looked at the leaderboard and saw Danny and Lee at the top and you close behind? What impressed you the most as a player about Danny’s performance – his putt on 16 or his chip on 17?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: At those sorts of moments you are so wrapped up in what you’re doing you tend not to take notice of what’s happening around you but it was incredible to see Danny from 16-18 back at the house and the way he played those holes was quite something. I was really impressed with the chip on 17 but also the way he took his time and hit the tee shot on 18 was seriously impressive.
Worldwide Golf: With your tied 7th finish you will be teeing it up again next year at Augusta but with only two previous starts at The Masters you’ve certainly got to know the course quickly. What’s been the key, as it normally takes players years to understand the course – do you believe it’s the Major you stand the best chance of winning, or would most like to win?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: I couldn’t pick between The Masters and The Open Championship as to which one I’d most like to win, or the Major I’d be most likely to win. Over the coming years I hope to have a good chance in the US Open, especially with their premium on driving accuracy. Do I sound too greedy? Augusta was a week I’d been looking forward to for a long time, since I was in the top 50 after Thailand. I had lots of family and friends there, big crowds and I guess I fed off the buzz of my first professional appearance in a Major. I putted well and I felt comfortable on the greens – I do like quick greens.”
What’s In the bag?
Driver: Callaway Big Bertha. Fairways woods: Ping G25. Three and seven wood. Irons: Ping S55s. Wedges: Titleist Vokey with the North Western stamp. Putter: Yes putter. Ball: Titleist ProV 1x.
Favourite club in the bag? My putter.
Are you a player who changes clubs with the latest technology? Not really. I stick to what works for me.
How important is it to play with the right ball and have you always marked it with four dots? It’s vital and I can’t imagine not having the dots.
Quick Tips
Best piece of advice to control first tee nerves? Be sure to make contact!
Best tip to find more greens in regulation? – Find more fairways.
Best tip to master those three footers? Make your stroke firm and confident.
Worldwide Golf: How instrumental have Pete Cowen and Mike Walker been in developing your game and what are you focusing on at the moment?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: I really can’t tell you how much influence they’ve had in getting me to where I am right now. I can’t thank them enough for the role they’ve played with me. I’m always working on all aspects of my game but a left hand below right hand drill has been helping me get a more consistent ball flight.
Worldwide Golf: When you hear of players travelling to exotic locations to work with their swing coaches while you and Danny are at Pete’s Academy in Rotherham, does this help to keep you grounded?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: It’s true that there aren’t many frills at the Academy but it’s a great place to work and Pete and Mike don’t do frills or the like.
Worldwide Golf: Danny’s brother’s tweets were hysterical during the The Masters – is this something we could expect to see from your friends and family?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: I don’t think so. Mum and Dad aren’t big on social media!
Worldwide Golf: You’ve impressed everyone with your attitude in making it to the top level without changing your personality – is this due to your upbringing?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: I can only speak for myself but I guess it’s just how I am. My parents have been great with me and in the way I’ve been brought up. I’m never going get carried away with anything. It’s not how I am.
Worldwide Golf: You played the opening two rounds at Augusta with Darren – was there anything said between the two of you on The Ryder Cup?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: I wouldn’t expect Darren to say anything like that. Nothing was said specifically but Darren is always great with his congratulations when I have a good week, which is very encouraging for my game. n
