Matt Fitzpatrick ready to adapt to his new fame after life-changing US Open win

Matt Fitzpatrick knew that life had changed when he was sitting down to dinner outside a restaurant in downtown Manhattan on Monday night. The new US Open champion – for most of his 27 years someone who could go almost anywhere without being recognised – was with friends at a pavement table when a man walked past not once, but three times.

“The guy actually did a triple take,” Fitzpatrick said, speaking to the British media on a video call from his hotel in New York. “The third time he stopped to say well done. So I appreciate that.”

Since his magnificent triumph at Brookline, that was an unusual moment when the new champion was sitting still. He has undertaken a whirl of engagements in a splurge he describes as “surreal”. And he has done it on a minimum of sleep.

Danny Willett, the last Yorkshireman to win a major, said that after he had lifted the Masters in 2016 he had so much pent-up energy he went out jogging at 3am. Asked whether he had celebrated in a similar way, Fitzpatrick smiled. “I think jogging must have been a code word for Dan. I didn’t go to sleep until probably three, replying to some of the messages that I’ve been sent and just taking it all in.

“Actually, I didn’t really sleep at all. It’s been a whirlwind.”

So much has his life changed with victory, he has been in touch with those who have been this way before.

Like Rory McIlroy, who had waited for him on the 18th green on Sunday to offer congratulations. “I messaged Rory, just saying thank you for sticking around, and mentioned that I might want to have a chat about one or two things,” he said.

“I’ll speak to another couple of players that have been in the same position just to find out what to do. And maybe what not to do. Just try and get some