A First for Matt Fitzpatrick
I had backed Fitzpatrick – and Adam Hadwin who finished 7th – but for the previous tourney the Canada Open.
Still full play for the Sheffield lad, who held off the challenges of Will Zalatoris and Scottie Schefffler, to become only the third Englishman to win the US Open in the last 52 years (Tony Jacklin and Justin Rose being the other two).
He also equalled the Jack Nicklaus record of winning the US Amateur and Professional Opens at the same course.
‘Fitzy’ has an all-round game but is a specially fine putter.
Whilst Rory McIlroy warmly hugged him as winner on the 18th, one hopes that the Irishman will dominate less the headlines now.
Not that Fitzy will claim any – he is an introspective golfer who records and then analyses every shot he plays.
Although the USA will lose in their Ryder Cup team Patrick Reed and Bryson deChambeau because of their LIV series appearances, you only have to look at the Brookline Leaderboard to see the American golfing depth with Zalatoris, Collin Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler.
