- Full US 2022 Open Dashboard
- The Englishman wins the first major thanks to two under 68s to finish with six under
- The last round upside down had it all, as Fitzpatrick takes on the challenge of Zalatoris and Scheffler
- He becomes only the second man to win the US Amateur and the US Open on the same course after Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus and Francis Ouimet move in and greet Matt Fitzpatrick. Winning the U.S. Open here on Sunday night in a dramatic and exciting way, the 27-year-old Englishman established himself as a legend of the revered Country Club and a sole companion of the Golden Bear.
Undoubtedly, this exceptional place has not witnessed such a special victory since 1913, when Ouimet, a 20-year-old fan who lived across the street, denied Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a tournament dubbed as “The greatest game ever played.”
This was one of the grand final rounds of the US Open, as Fitzpatrick beat world number 1 Scottie Scheffler and another American Will Will Zalatoris to join Nicklaus as the only two players who won the US Amateur and the US Open on the same course.
Fitzpatrick referred to Brookline as “my special place” anyway, but after that he must now have an exclusive position in his heart. His first major and one of the most memorable captured by an English golfer.
When he became the first Briton in more than a century to win the U.S. amateur in 2013, he had his little brother in his bag. Nine years later, and Alex was in the crowd, jumping up and down with Mom Susan and Father Russell, while Billy Foster was doing the honors in the bag.
Don’t underestimate the influence of Foster, also a 59-year-old from Yorkshire. This was his first major, and if Fitzpatrick needs more pride, just look at the players with whom Foster didn’t win a major … Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Thomas Bjorn. His last round 68 for a total of six less could keep anyone company, as he beat Scheffler (67) and Zalatoris (69).
“No words. It’s what you dream of when you grow up,” said Fitzpatrick, who stayed in the same house with the same family as in 2013. “The feeling is out of this world, it’s so clichéd, but they’re the things you dreamed of as a child. I could retire a happy man tomorrow. “