Matt Fitzpatrick: ‘I’ve been struggling’

• Matt Fitzpatrick makes surprising comment at PL Match Play
• The 21-year-old says he’s ‘struggled’ this year – despite success
• In past year, has two wins and a top ten finish at the Masters

This time last year, Matt Fitzpatrick had no European Tour wins and no top tens in majors.

Now, the 21-year-old as two wins to his name – at the British Masters and Nordea Masters no less – a T7 at the Masters AND he’s in line to make his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine next month as he currently occupies one of the nine automatic spaces.

So, you may be surprised when you hear the young Englishman’s assessment of his performances over the past year.

Read more -> The full Paul Lawrie Match Play draw

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“Yeah, I’d be delighted obviously if you said I’d achieve that this time last year,” said Matt Fitzpatrick. “Certainly gives perspective of how far I’ve come, I’ve got to admit.

“It’s happened so fast that I think you almost expect it to keep going that way, and it’s not true. I’ve had a win this year, but in all honesty, I’ve not had a good year. I’ve had a top ten in the Masters and a win, but outside of that, yeah, I’ve struggled a little bit.”

Compare Matt Fitzpatrick’s ‘struggles’ to those of former Amateur champion Jin Jeong – who hasn’t made a cut on the European Tour for two years – and it seems like he’s being incredibly hard on himself.

Read more ->  Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston’s no to ‘tofu’

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And ahead of this week’s Paul Lawrie Match Play, Fitzpatrick is being handed the perfect chance to get out of those ‘struggles’ and impress Ryder Cup vice-captain Thomas Bjorn by beating him in their first round match-up.

Darren Clarke, holidaying in the Bahamas with Lee Westwood, hasn’t been in touch regarding their match – and Fitzpatrick admitted the build-up has been pretty low key.

“My caddie stole his golf balls on the range today, so we were laughing about that but I saw him at breakfast this morning and just had a bit of a laugh and that’s about it.”

Matt Fitzpatrick tees off against Thomas Bjorn at 2.15pm tomorrow.

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