The R&A - Working for Golf
News Archive

Fitzpatrick comes of age in style

Matthew Fitzpatrick finished his 2016 season in style with the biggest win of his career at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Fitzpatrick celebrates holing out on the 18th to win the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Fitzpatrick celebrates holing out on the 18th to win the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The 22-year-old calmly holed out after escaping from a greenside bunker at the 18th to lift the trophy – beating fellow Englishman Tyrrell Hatton by one stroke.

That victory, alongside his Nordea Masters win in June, ensured Fitzpatrick’s sixth place finish in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

The Sheffield golfer has come a long way since winning the Boys Amateur Championship in 2012 and deservedly earned his place in Darren Clarke’s European Ryder cup team for the match at Hazeltine.

Here we look back at Fitzpatrick’s impressive rise to prominence in the last five years.

2012

Boys Amateur Championship

Fitzpatrick proudly displays the Boys Amateur Championship trophy at the Notts Golf Club Hollinwell in August 2012. The 17-year-old produces a magnificent display to defeat Henry James by 10&8 in the 36-hole final.
Fitzpatrick proudly displays the Boys Amateur Championship trophy at the Notts Golf Club Hollinwell in August 2012. The 17-year-old produces a magnificent display to defeat Henry James by 10&8 in the 36-hole final.

2013

The Open

At the age of 18 Fitzpatrick was the leading amateur at The 142<sup>nd</sup> Open at Muirfield and was presented with the Silver Medal alongside runner-up Henrik Stenson and 2013 Champion Golfer of the Year Phil Mickelson.
At the age of 18 Fitzpatrick was the leading amateur at The 142nd Open at Muirfield and was presented with the Silver Medal alongside runner-up Henrik Stenson and 2013 Champion Golfer of the Year Phil Mickelson.

US Amateur

With his younger brother on the bag, Fitzpatrick became the first Englishman since 1911 to lift the Havemeyer Trophy after a 4 and 3 victory over Australian Oliver Goss in the final of the US Amateur Championship at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
With his younger brother on the bag, Fitzpatrick became the first Englishman since 1911 to lift the Havemeyer Trophy after a 4 and 3 victory over Australian Oliver Goss in the final of the US Amateur Championship at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Mark McCormack Medal

His victory at the US Amateur Championship sent Fitzpatrick to the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). Fitzpatrick received the McCormack Medal as a result and was presented with the prize before his debut at the Walker Cup.
His victory at the US Amateur Championship sent Fitzpatrick to the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). Fitzpatrick received the McCormack Medal as a result and was presented with the prize before his debut at the Walker Cup.

Walker Cup

Even though the United States won the 44<sup>th</sup> Walker Cup match by 17 to 9 in Southampton, New York, Fitzpatrick’s performances in the foursomes alongside Neil Raymond and in the singles made him the leading scorer for Great Britain and Ireland.
Even though the United States won the 44th Walker Cup match by 17 to 9 in Southampton, New York, Fitzpatrick’s performances in the foursomes alongside Neil Raymond and in the singles made him the leading scorer for Great Britain and Ireland.

2014

US Open

Fitzpatrick’s tied for 48<sup>th</sup> finish at the US Open saw him emulate the great Bobby Jones’s feat of holding the low amateur medals for both the The Open and the US Open at the same time. At 19-years-old Fitzpatrick decided turned professional and made his debut atat the Irish Open.
Fitzpatrick’s tied for 48th finish at the US Open saw him emulate the great Bobby Jones’s feat of holding the low amateur medals for both the The Open and the US Open at the same time. At 19-years-old Fitzpatrick decided turned professional and made his debut atat the Irish Open.

Latest News

Matsuyama win The Masters

Matsuyama: Top Amateur to Major Master

DoE

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

Golf Awards 12

Belle Pays Tribute to ‘Great Friend’ Jock

The Rules of Golf

Your comprehensive resource of the Rules of Golf, Player's Edition, Definitions, Interpretations, Committee Procedures and Rules for Players with Disabilities.

Learn More

Rules Education

Whether you want to learn the basics or need to understand the finer details of the Decisions, discover more about the Rules of Golf via The R&A’s publications and The R&A’s formal three-tier education programme.

Learn More

Running a Competition

The Running a Competition section of the explorer is a vital resource for Committees running golf competitions.

Learn More