Matt Fitzpatrick fulfils his ‘dream’ to win first major in tense US Open finish

The world of professional golf will imminently return to a dismal domain involving Saudi Arabians bearing dollars, players defending the indefensible and commercial organisations scrapping for survival. There was extra cause to cherish this gripping finale to the penultimate men’s major of 2022. The Country Club delivered sport in its purest form and precisely when it was needed.

For Matt Fitzpatrick, a maiden major title. The Yorkshireman prevailed at the US Open on the very turf where he won the US Amateur nine years ago. This Sheffield United fanatic is Brookline’s Blade.

Fitzpatrick’s six under par held off Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler by one. That Fitzpatrick and Zalatoris played in the final group added to the sense that they were the ones directly jousting. Scheffler, the world No1, was never far away.

Fitzpatrick was understandably elated. “It’s what you grow up dreaming of winning and I’ve worked so hard for such a long time,” he said. “I had the big monkey on my back of not winning in the United States. It was all everybody talked about and to do it in a major, there’s nothing better.”

A wobbly start by Zalatoris saw him play the first three holes in two over. Fitzpatrick and Scheffler, conversely, looked inspired. Fitzpatrick birdied the 3rd to take the lead at five under. Scheffler joined him with a birdie at the 5th. After Fitzpatrick drove the green at that very same, short par four, he surged to minus six. Zalatoris at this point was four adrift.

Birdies for Zalatoris at the 7th and 9th hauled him to within one of Fitzpatrick and Scheffler.two opponents suddenly turned cold.

A Zalatoris birdie at the short 11th meant a two-shot lead at six under. Yet with major championship frontrunning comes major