Matt Fitzpatrick says that while his status as a Major Champion may have altered his expectations, his enthusiasm for the test Real Club Valderrama provides remains undiminished as he defends his title at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.
The Englishman posted a brilliant bogey-free two-under 69 to win at the iconic 1997 Ryder Cup venue last year, but his career has since reached new heights this season.
Fitzpatrick became the first British winner of a men’s Major Championship since Danny Willett at the 2016 Masters Tournament with a one-shot victory at the U.S. Open in June.
Since then, the eight-time DP World Tour winner has registered a further three top-20 finishes worldwide, including a runner-up spot at 2023 Ryder Cup venue Marco Simone Golf & Country Club last month.
“A lot has changed (since my win here last year),” he said. “Expectations have changed. Thoughts about everything have changed.
“Since the U.S. Open, I have been able to play events that I want to play, and enjoy being there. This is a prime example of one of those. I am really excited to tee off tomorrow.”
Fitzpatrick, at a career-high tenth in the Official World Golf Rankings, is the headline act in Spain and comes into this week looking to close the gap to Rory McIlroy, who leads the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
Ahead of playing alongside recent Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner Ryan Fox and last year’s runner-up Min Woo Lee in the opening two rounds, the 28-year-old is aware his game will need to be at its best.
“The greens are small, the fairways are tight, there are trees everywhere and the wind is swirling,” he said of the famously tough examination players face at the Sotogrande layout.
“It’s just a real test of everything in my opinion. There is a bit more importance on your driving, but I think if you can put the ball in play off the tee then you can limit the mistakes more so.
“The first time I played it I missed the cut [and] did not drive it very well. Second time I drove it great and came out with a great result.”
Fitzpatrick made 15 consecutive pars during last year’s final round and credits patience as being pivotal to his hopes of a successful defence.
“It is about not getting frustrated by making bogeys,” he said. “Sometimes making a bogey is good, it could have been more.
“As long as you can limit them, the winning score around here typically isn’t that low so it is just important to keep yourself in it and you never know what can happen come Sunday."
Valderrama! 🇪🇸👌 pic.twitter.com/lOOWZcSHIt
— Matt Fitzpatrick (@MattFitz94) October 11, 2022
