Matt and mum make history with family win in Scotland

Things could not get better for Matt Fitzpatrick after he claimed a sensational family triumph with mum Susan at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Just eight days after he helped Europe win back the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the Englishman was tasting double delight in Scotland as he claimed a three-shot victory in the individual event and a five-shot win alongside mum in the team competition.

That made him just the second player - after Pádraig Harrington in 2002 and 2006 - to win both events and while his individual triumph was his ninth DP World Tour title, he admitted winning alongside his mum at St Andrews was extra special.

"It doesn't get better than this," he said. "Winning at St Andrews, it's just a very special place. We've been coming here for a long, long time as well and it doesn't get better.

"We played last year and didn't quite play so well and this year she's played fantastic and I played really solid as well. You just couldn't ask for a better week.

"Even with all my wins, aside from a Major, you forget about them in the future. You'll always remember the one that you won with your mum, so it doesn't get better than that.

"From when I won the U.S. Open last year, I knew that the criteria was you had to win a Major or top 15 in the world to be able to pick your partner here. 

"That was one of the first things we spoke about, if we can play Dunhill together, and that's what we did last year and last year was clearly a warm-up for this year. We did very well this year.

"She's been wanting to play all year and she's been looking forward to it. To go out there and play as well as you did and as well as I did as well, it's amazing to win together."

Susan made a huge contribution to Team Fitzpatrick's 35 under total - registering four eagles and eight birdies as the pair shot sub-60 rounds at both Kingsbarns and St Andrews.

Matt's brother Alex was in their group on Thursday at Carnoustie to make it a real family affair but Susan revealed it was her caddie and Matt's friend Josh that may have been the secret to success.

"It's been such a great week," said Susan, who is just the second female winner at the event. "It's been such a great day today. I enjoyed the course and played at a great pace. It's been lovely so it's been another great week.

"Josh, he's a good friend of Matt's and he caddied for me last year as well. He's had the day off today and he wanted to finish the job. He's been green reader, right club, right lines. He's done a brilliant job."