BROOKLINE, Mass. – England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick won the US Open, earning his first major title on the same course where he won the amateur title nine years ago.
Fitzpatrick returned 68 (-2) on the course at Brookline Golf Club and edged Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler by one stroke on Sunday.
ContentId(3.1408584):US Open: Matt Fitzpatrick has final say on Will Zalatoris at US Open
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Leading by one stroke, Fitzpatrick bunkered his tee shot on the 18th hole. He did, however, reach the middle of the green and putt twice to confirm his par and cumulative score of minus-6.
” I have no words. It’s what you dream of growing up. It’s something I’ve worked so hard for for so long. My first victory. In a Major. There is nothing better,” commented the 18th player in the world.
“It’s one of the best shots I’ve ever hit in my life. When I saw the ball come out of the sand, I couldn’t have been happier,” he reacted.
Originally from Sheffield, he was only 18 when he won in 2013, at the Country Club located in the suburbs of Boston. Eleven other golfers have achieved the same double, including the legendary Jack Nicklaus, the only one who has done it like him on the same course, that of Peeble Beach in California.
“It means a lot to know that my name is next to yours. I don’t know if he’s listening to me, but he pissed me off a bit at the start of the year, when I got my Bears Club membership card (owned by Nicklaus, editor’s note). He told me ‘Finally! Congratulations, for having this victory in the United States. I can now tell him ‘Jack, I won a second time this year,’” he said with a smile.
Zalatoris was the only golfer to force overtime, as he faced a 14-foot putt for a birdie, but the ball just missed the holeshot.
“Matt’s shot on the 18th hole will be remembered for the rest of US Open history,” Zalatoris said. I approached and I found that it was necessary to have guts to aim for the hole. Just the fact that he tried it and was able to give himself a look for a birdie is amazing. I tip my hat to him. He played well all week and had a good round today. »
At the same time, Zalatoris settled for second place in a second consecutive major tournament. He lost in overtime to Justin Thomas last month at the PGA Championship.
Zalatoris posted a sixth top-10 finish in seven majors since making his major debut at the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
Fitzpatrick hit 17 greens in prescribed strokes. He became the first Englishman to win the U.S. Open since Justin Rose in 2013. That year, Fitzpatrick triumphed at the amateur tournament.
He also joined Jack Nicklaus as the only players to have won the U.S. Open and amateur leaning on the same course. Nicklaus had achieved the feat at Pebble Beach, in 1961 and 1972.
Scheffler had put on the pressure by bringing back a card of 67 to lead at the chalet, at 5 minus. He had notably managed a birdie at the 17th pennant to force Fitzpatrick to finish the round without a collision.
The round of the day came from the sticks of Hideki Matsuyama. The Japanese shot 65 and took fourth place on his own, with a cumulative score of minus-3.
Canadian Adam Hadwin completed the course in 71 shots and finished the event tied for seventh at 1 under.
Fitzpatrick takes the lead with a long putt
