St.Andrews, Scotland – The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was shortened to 54 holes, but the foul weather didn’t stop Matt Fitzpatrick and his Mom Susan from becaming the first family to win both the Individual and Team Championship at the Home of Golf – St Andrews.
Foitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion fired rounds of 67, 64 and 66 at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews for a 19-under-par total to win by three over fellow Englishman Marcus Armitage (tied with defending champion Ryan Fox and Matthew Southgate). The victory was Fitzpatrick’s ninth DP World Tour win of his career and his first at the Alfred Dunhill Links (previous best finish was tied 15th in 2017).
“It’s amazing. Winning is difficult. It was a kind of free-wheeling week, just playing with my mum and trying to enjoy it as best I can and see what happened”, Fitzpatrick said. “Then I played really well at Carnoustie and just got on a hot run these last two rounds. It doesn’t get better than winning at St Andrews, it’s just a very special place. We’ve been coming here for a long, long time.”
Susan Fitzpatrick was dealing with a dodgy knee issue, but seemed relieved to make it through and help contribute to the family win. “I’ve got a brace on my left knee and I really do need to get it sorted out, but the discomfort was worth it, just so I could play alongside Matt again. It’s been such a great week. It’s amazing they managed to get us out today but it’s been great. Another great week.”
Matt added: “She got us off to a great back nine and she played great all day again. I just helped guide her around. One of my close friends, Josh, is on the bag, and he’s done great helping her out. We had a great week and really dovetailed well. I think last year we struggled on that front. Every time I made a birdie, mum would make a birdie, but she’s been brilliant this week.
They finished at 35-under par, five shots clear of the three teams that tied for runner-up position: Julien Guerrier & Stephane Connery and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen & Erwee Botha.
