ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Matt Fitzpatrick captured his first European tour title in two years by profitable the weather-affected Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship by 3 strokes Monday.
The 2022 U.S. Open champion shot 6-under 66 on the Outdated Course at St. Andrews to complete on 19-under-par general for an occasion that was lowered to 54 holes after heavy rain worn out play Saturday and Sunday.
Play was doable Monday solely after outstanding efforts from the greenkeepers on the three storied Scottish programs internet hosting the pro-am occasion — St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns — to make them playable.
Massive elements of Carnoustie, particularly, had been unrecognizable Sunday and there have been nonetheless large swaths of water on some fairways.
Ryan Fox, a latest winner on the BMW PGA Championship, shot 65 on the Outdated Course and was tied for second place with Matthew Southgate (66 at St. Andrews) and Marcus Armitage (66 at Carnoustie).
Fitzpatrick, who gained the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour in April, hadn’t gained on the European tour for the reason that Andalucia Masters in October 2021. This newest title comes every week after he was a part of Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning staff exterior Rome, the place he claimed his first level in golf’s largest present after 5 straight losses throughout away matches in 2016 and 2021.
He performed together with his mom, Susan, within the pro-am on the Dunhill Hyperlinks — and so they gained, too.
“It is humorous, actually; it was sort of a freewheeling week — enjoying with Mum and simply attempting to take pleasure in it the perfect I can and see what occurred,” mentioned Fitzpatrick, who had footage taken together with his mom on the Swilcan Bridge on the 18th gap after which made birdie from 10 toes.
The 29-year-old Englishman shot 67 at Carnoustie on Thursday and 64 at Kingsbarns on Friday.
A complete of 39 gamers both withdrew or retired forward of the third and closing spherical.
