Matthew Fitzpatrick wins the U.S. Open after shooting a final-round 68 for a 6-under 274 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. The 27-year-old Englishman won his first PGA Tour and became the richest golfer in the U.S. Open.
Matthew Fitzpatrick record his first PGA Tour win on the same course where he won the U.S. Amateur nine years ago. He defeated Oliver Goss to claim the 2013 US Amateur and became the first Englishman to win it in 102 years.
He joined Jack Nicklaus and Juli Inkster to become the third golfer in history to win an American amateur and the U.S. Open on the same course.
“I didn’t want to say it, I didn’t want to jinx it, but I felt comfortable here all week,” Fitzpatrick said.
“I’ve performed so well here in the past. I have such comfort on this golf course. The course suits me so well, suits my game well. I’ve been playing well for a while and with more length (off the tee), it all fell into place,” he said.
Fitzpatrick sealed his U.S. Open victory over Scheffler and Zalatoris by landing a bunker shot onto the green and making a two-putt. He finished at 6-under, firing three rounds of 68 as well as one round of even-par 70.
“If there was one shot I do not want, it’s a fairway bunker shot,” Fitzpatrick said afterward, “but it turned out to be one of the best shots I’ve hit, all time. When I saw it leave the sand and felt the strike, I knew it was good.”
Fitzpatrick confident at Brookline
His 2013 US Amateur experience helped Fitzpatrick win the U.S. Open. His appearance at Brookline nine years ago was his first venture into American golf.
Fitzpatrick said that he felt a bit more confident because of his previous success.
“I definitely feel like I’ve probably got a bit more confidence going into the week than some of the players will having played there and done successfully before,” Fitzpatrick said.
“It gives you that confidence boost going into the week, for sure. Although you’ve still got to hit the shots, knowing what you’ve achieved there in the past is a big help.
Bagging $3.15 Million
Fitzpatrick took home $3.15 million for the win. He outplayed Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris, who earned over $1.5 million for tying for second place.
The USGA increased the prize pool to $17.5 million. Last year it gave $12.5 to the winner. The move is rumored to be linked to the prevalence of golfers participating in LIV Golf.
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf did not get much attention over the final 36 holes. The exhibition only got 4 out of 13 in the field to make the cut, namely Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau, and Richard Bland.
USGA officials said they would allow LIV players who had already qualified for the U.S. Open to play this year, saying it was not fair to change course at such a late stage.