By Will Pearson, europeantour.com
in Gullane
England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick took some time away from his preparations for this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open to recall a “life-changing” experience in East Lothian two years ago and revealed what he has learned so far in his maiden season as a European Tour professional.
Back in the sun-scorched summer of 2013, the then-18 year old Fitzpatrick travelled in hope to Scotland’s Gullane Golf Club, this week hosting the country’s national Open for a first time, for Local Final Qualifying for The 2013 Open Championship at neighbouring Muirfield.
That week, starting with qualifying here at Gullane, changed my life in a lot of ways.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Not only did the Sheffield native get his spot at golf’s oldest event, he went on to make the cut and claim the Silver Medal for low amateur – a career-turning point that began at Gullane.
“It’s actually all a bit of a blur thinking back to being here in 2013,” said Fitzpatrick, who finished tied second in the pre-qualifier at this week’s venue. “But it feels special. I remembered all the holes when I first played them again this week, but I can’t remember my specific shots from two years ago.
“What I mainly remember is the feeling afterwards – the waiting first and then when I realised I had got into The Open it didn’t sink in until I was actually there.
“My aim getting to Muirfield was just to make the cut, so to do that and also win the Silver Medal was a massive bonus.
“That week, starting with qualifying here at Gullane, changed my life in a lot of ways.”
Having learned his trade on the blustery links at Hallamshire Golf Club in Yorkshire, Fitzpatrick won the Boys Amateur Championship in 2012 and became the amateur World Number One after becoming the first Englishman to win the US Amateur Championship since 1911, one month on from his Open heroics.
As evidenced by his highly impressive outing at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation six weeks ago, when Fitzpatrick claimed a top ten finish in hugely testing conditions, the now-20 year old is clearly comfortable in whatever Mother Nature can throw at him this week in Scotland.
“I enjoy playing links golf and playing when it’s really windy and rainy – that’s what I’m hoping for this week to be honest!” he continued.
“It can be calm and dry for the practice days, but once Thursday comes I wouldn’t mind if it was horrible out there. A lot of players don’t like to be out there when it’s like that, but I think it can play into my hands.
“I grew up on a windy course at Hallamshire, so I feel like I know my around in conditions like that. I feel I can hit the ball low when I need to and we saw that in Ireland with one of my best performances so far on Tour. It was nice to do well there in pretty brutal conditions, so hopefully I can have another good week here.”
After making his debut as a professional golfer on The European Tour at the 2014 Irish Open, Fitzpatrick went on to claim the 11th card at Qualifying School last November, and with that impressive performance he secured a maiden season in The Race to Dubai.
Since then, the Englishman has continued to shine, with a best finish thus far of tied third at the recent Lyoness Open Powered by Greenfinity in Austria helping him move to 71st in The Race to Dubai and to top spot in the category 15 re-rank – meaning more starts in more of the best events as Fitzpatrick re-sets his first season goals.
He reflected: “Coming out on top there was a big bonus and that will help me get into a few more of the big events compared to where I was.
“It’s been a big learning curve so far, I’m a different player and a better player already I think. I’m more organised, can plan my way around a bit better – golf and life-wise.
“My aims for the season were to just keep my card and get to have another go next year. But now I’m even looking at top 60 and a place in Dubai at the end of the season.
“The position I’m in now I don’t think it’s unfeasible and I’m closer than I might have expected to be at this stage. I’ll stay focused on keeping my card but if I can make it to the Final Series I think that would constitute a great first season.”
