THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN

Ahead of his US Open defence, Matt Fitzpatrick reveals all about his injury-hit start to 2023, how Jack Nicklaus convinced him to change his irons, and why the Majors need LIV golfers

- MICHAEL CATLING

Matt Fitzpatrick has come a long way since being mistaken for Tiger’s ball boy at the 2013 Open. The lad who chased Rickie Fowler for an autograph still retains the same slender build and boyish looks, but he’s gone from practising for eight hours a day at Hallamshire Golf Club in his hometown of Sheffield, to Major champion, multiple PGA Tour winner and mainstay in the world’s Top 10.

A meticulous note keeper who has recorded every shot he’s hit since he was 15, Fitzpatrick has overhauled his entire game in the last few years – and, boy, is he reaping the rewards. He wanted to get stronger, and he wanted more distance, so he adopted a speed training system called The Stack that has yielded an extra 5mph of clubhead speed since 2019, along with a US Open and a second PGA Tour win at The RBC Heritage at Harbour Town in South Carolina, where he outlasted Jordan Spieth in a playoff.

He has already set himself the target of winning six Majors before the end of his career and soon he’ll turn his attention to defending his Major title in LA. Based on current form and his new-found confidence, he may well be one of the favourites...

MATT ON... WINNING AGAIN ON THE PGA TOUR

"I think I can retire now. This one (the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town) is the one that I've always wanted to win. Other than the Majors, there isn't a higher one on my list and that's the truth. My family can tell you that, and my friends can tell you the same thing. It's just a special place for me, and it means the world to have won it.

"I used to come (to South Carolina) as a kid on holiday a lot, obviously played the tournament since 2016, so it's one I'm very fond of. Aside from Augusta, it's my favourite golf course.