Ian Poulter would not be surprised to see Matthew Fitzpatrick in next year’s European Ryder Cup team after witnessing the young Englishman’s brilliant rookie season.
The 21 year old won the British Masters supported by Sky Sports a fortnight ago, and in his role as tournament host, Poulter presented his compatriot with the trophy after watching him clinically close out a wire-to-wire victory.
Despite graduating from the Qualifying School less than a year ago, Fitzpatrick will tee it up in this week’s Turkish Airlines Open – the first event of the lucrative, four-tournament Final Series – having amassed four top-three finishes in his last six appearances.
Few would be better placed to predict Ryder Cup potential than Poulter, who has become Europe’s talisman in recent years with his wonderful match play record.
“It wouldn't be a shock to see Matt or any of those guys in (the Ryder Cup team),” said Poulter, who was runner-up in Turkey last year. “They've won good tournaments and won them strong.
“Every year there are rookies in the Ryder Cup and they are the guys you would expect to have a run, playing the way they have played in the last few months.
“It's lovely to see young blood playing great golf, especially in that tournament (the British Masters). Matt was very proud to be able to win that with friends and family there to watch. I see them as my fellow players that I play against. I've known Matt now for a couple of years – I played in practice round with him at The Open and knew he was a great player.”
Fitzpatrick himself admits the Ryder Cup is “in the background” and not a focus, despite far exceeded the expectations he had for his first year as a professional.
“To be 11th heading into the Final Series is unbelievable really,” said the former US Amateur Champion. “I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t think I’d win in my first year. I just wanted to keep my card and give myself another year on Tour, and just try to gain a lot of experience over the year.
“The Ryder Cup is not something I’m focused on; it’s just in the background. I’m just trying to play golf and work hard to keep improving and keep doing the right things. The rest will take care of itself.
“It’s still weird to say that I’ve won. It’s been busy since and a few more doors have opened. It meant a big jump in the world rankings, and the aim is to finish the year inside the top 50.”
That is also the goal for Poulter, who arrived at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Antalya after an eventful week, during which he made a last-gasp trip to the UBS Hong Kong Open.
With his place in the field at the World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions under threat, Poulter made a late dash to the Far East last Tuesday in order to guarantee he played the 13 European Tour events necessary to secure his membership for 2016.
Normal order has been restored this week, however, and the Englishman is upbeat about returning to a course where he enjoyed some fine form 12 months ago.
“Any time you play a course you have shot some low rounds around you look forward to it,” he said. “Obviously last week had its challenges but I hope this week we are on a better sleeping pattern and we can turn it around and have an enjoyable week.
“I am relatively happy with certain aspects of my game. I am always trying to improve. It’s been a bizarre 18 months really but hopefully we can do the right things to improve and get back in the top 50 and move back up to where I feel I should be. I haven’t done a number of things well this year.”
