Matt Fitzpatrick says he is putting individual goals to one side as he targets a week to remember for his family at the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The U.S. Open Champion is set for his sixth appearance in the annual festival of links golf in Scotland, where he will partner his mum Susan for the first time in the team competition.
Fitzpatrick, who stands second in the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, is joined by brother Alex in the field, which includes a star-studded array of professionals and celebrity amateurs.
“It's fantastic,” he said. “It's really, really surreal.
“I was just thinking in the car on the way here that on Saturday, I'll be playing with my brother in a DP World event; I'll be playing with my mum on the 18th at St Andrews.
“It really doesn't get much more special than that. It's exciting.
“I'm really concentrating on the team thing this week.”
Fitzpatrick is one of several professionals who is playing alongside a family member, with four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy and two-time winner Tyrrell Hatton reuniting with their dads, while Thomas Bjørn is teaming up with his son Oliver.
“I'm just going to go out there and support my mum as best I can,” added the Englishman, who finished as runner-up in Italy earlier this month.
“I want her to enjoy it more than anything. I don't want her to be nervous or worried about anything
“They are memories that will stay with you forever. To be able to do it at St Andrews and to be able to do it with my mum and to play alongside my brother, yes, it's incredibly special.”
The eight-time DP World Tour winner finished as runner-up in Italy earlier this month and is eager to go one better with his mum by his side over three classic links courses – the Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
Asked whether he would swap individual success for team honours, Fitzpatrick added: “Oh, 100 per cent. Not even a question.
“It would mean the world to my mum, and I think to be able to win something together, particularly as a family is always a special feeling. It would be unbelievable if we did.”
