Billy Foster lifts lid on shock split with Matt Fitzpatrick

Billy Foster has revealed that he was ‘disappointed’ to part ways with long-time partner Matt Fitzpatrick earlier this month.

The English pair spent six years together before Foster announced the shock split on social media.

It followed a torrid year for Fitzpatrick, who has slipped to 69th in the Official World Golf Rankings and remains without a win since the 2023 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

“It was a bit disappointing,” Foster told Prime Casino, “but he’s been playing poorly.

“You know when things aren’t going well and you’re not enjoying it out there sometimes it’s just nice to have a break and just get a bit of freshness and have a different eye on the ball.

“It’s a results-driven business and if things aren’t going well, it’s always nice to have a bit of a change and that normally starts with the coach and the caddie or the manager or the psychologist or the wife.

“Obviously it’s very disappointing because we’ve had so many good times together and so many great victories. You know, Matt struggled. It’s out there in the results.

“He hasn’t played well for six to eight months, feels the time to change is right, freshness is everything and that’s fine, you just gotta accept the way it is.”

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Foster, who teamed up with Fitzpatrick to US Open glory in 2022 admits he had to take the decision on the chin but has no regrets.

They also joined forces at the last two Ryder Cups, which included Europe’s win at Marco Simone two years ago.

“We’ve had six great years and we’ve done very well together, and he’s a major champion, which I’ll always be truly grateful for,” he added.

“Because it was very frustrating when you’d had a great career and never won a major with anybody. Matt delivered that.

“I’ve been very honest with Matt on several occasions, but he’s normally taken it on board and reacted to it in a positive way.

“It’s just the fact that he’s been playing poorly for the last year, he’s getting down with his game and you can feel the disappointment in the air around you.

“I’m man enough to take it out on the chin and say, you know what, you’re probably right, mate. It might do us both good. We’ll see.

“I have nothing but good things to say about him and I’ll move on and the next time I see him, I’ll give him a hug and say, listen, it’s no problem. I totally understand.

“It’s been a great journey and I’m very thankful for everything that he provided for me and my family.”

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Meanwhile, Foster is unsure how his future looks but is keen to pick up another bag on tour.

“I don’t know what’s next at this stage,” he said. “I might come back caddying. I might come back on course, commentating. I might come back doing something completely different. I don’t know.

“Ideally, I’d still like to caddy. I’m 59, so I think I’ve got two or three years left in me. If it means going back to caddying full-time it depends what gets offered. I don’t rule anything out at this stage.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.