Matt Fitzpatrick relieved as US Open official shuts down merger talk

Matt Fitzpatrick shifted uncomfortably in his chair. A nervous smile etched across the defending US Open champion’s face.  

He was only a couple of minutes into his press conference ahead of his bid to retain his maiden major trophy he won in such spectacular fashion last year and he was facing a fifth question about the PGA Tour’s controversial deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. 

The first question was simple. ‘What are your thoughts?’ 

Fitzpatrick, who has been open about his views on LIV Golf in the past, assumed he could shut down the chat immediately.  

“I’ll be completely honest,” he said. “I literally know as much as you. I found out when everyone else found out. I know nothing.” 

Unfortunately, “I know nothing” doesn’t make fill columns. ‘Do you feel more or less confused about the situation?’ 

“I guess,” Fitzpatrick started before pausing. “It was confusing last year. I seem to remember just thinking about the tournament. It was obviously different because I had the tie to the golf course and the history there, so probably was easier for me to mentally focus on that and be in a better place than obviously all this confusion that’s going on this week. 

“I guess the whole thing is confusing.” 

• Five players who have somehow never won the US Open

• The big names missing from the US Open

That brought more questions than answers. ‘What about the current situation in golf is most confusing to you?’ 

“Well, I think I just don’t know what’s going on. I don’t think anyone knows what’s going on. Are we signing with the PIF? Are we not signing with the PIF? I have no idea. Even though it is confusing, it’s pretty clear that nobody knows what’s going on apart from about four people in the world.” 

Then the killer question: ‘Should players be compensated for not going to LIV?’

This was when we saw the first murmurings that the interview would get shut down, but Fitzpatrick decided to try and answer.

Then he changed his mind.

“Yeah, pass!” he said with a huge grin. 

Matt Fitzpatrick was asked if he feels like he should be compensated for not going to LIV at the US Open on Monday

Here’s his hilarious answer to that question: pic.twitter.com/OXGQ5aPbdq

— Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) June 13, 2023

But then the panel of reporters went one too far. As one journalist burst into a long-winded question about Fitzpatrick’s peers and whether or not they are in a similar state of uncertainty is asked, the moderator decided she’d had enough.    

“I think it’s been asked and answered so we’re going to move on to US Open topics,” she snapped. 

Gonna be a lot of this happening this week. pic.twitter.com/iiQ0SkOu07

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) June 12, 2023

You can almost pinpoint the rush of blood returning to his face. 

Fitzpatrick was asked about his US Open defence, and he talked about his surprise at it being a year already, his sadness at returning the trophy, and how he’s excited to see the golf course.  

And there was a nice moment when he described just what getting over the line in a major has meant to his mentality. 

“Winning last year gave me the boost that when I played my best or when I play well I can compete with anyone and I can win a major,” he explained. 

“That was the biggest thing for me to take away turning up to events, knowing that my game feels in good shape and I’ve got a chance to win this week.  

“Previously I’ve felt like I played well and not necessarily competed in majors. It was more about trying to get in contention, just putting myself in that position, giving myself a chance. I wouldn’t necessarily say I felt like my best golf could compete with some of the guys out here. 

“I know I had conversations with my coaches about that, about what guys did that I didn’t, but certainly after last year I feel like I can compete.” 

Of course Sheffield United fan Fitzpatrick couldn’t resist a dig at his caddie Billy Foster, a lifetime supporter of rivals Leeds, after the two teams swapped divisions in the English Football League. 

“He’s been crying about it for a while,” he joked. “We’re fine for now, but it will be a test once the [football] season starts again…” 

Fitzpatrick will get his US Open defence underway alongside LIV Golfer and Champion Golfer Cameron Smith and reigning US Amateur champion Sam Bennett.

• Full US Open Round 1 tee times

• When and where you can watch the US Open on TV

Alex Perry is the Associate Editor of bunkered. A journalist for more than 20 years, he has been a golf industry stalwart for the majority of his career and, in a five-year spell at ESPN, covered every sporting event you can think of. He completed his own Grand Slam at the 2023 Masters, having fallen in love with the sport at his hometown club of Okehampton and on the links of nearby Bude & North Cornwall.

Associate Editor