Dunhill Double for Matt Fitzpatrick

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship finished a day late and a dollar short, as the competition was pushed back to Monday and reduced to 54 holes because of inclement weather in Fife leaving the grounds waterlogged. This competition is unique for its combination of the individual professional competition and the team competition, having them play alongside each other throughout the event. Each professional golfer is joined by an amateur player for the coupling, playing three courses in rotation for three days. Ordinarily, once the three rounds are completed the top 60 professionals and leading 20 teams compete on the final day at the Old Course. However, due to unfavourable weather the competition was cut short, and teams were limited to three rounds.

Champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, completed the series 19 under par, putting together a willfully beautiful three rounds of 67, 64, 66 at the Fife golf courses, including St Andrews. His performance brought much admiration and gentle applause from the galleries. The most endearing celebration came from his mother, who was all smiles, joining him on the golf course as his partner in the team competition. However, it was not an immediate triumph for Matt Fitzpatrick. Attacking swiftly over at Championship Course Carnoustie, was Englishman Marcus Armitage. It was 90 minutes before Armitage finished, with much dismay, three shots behind, tying with defending champion Ryan Fox and Matthew Southgate. Celebration ensued!

Matt Fitzpatrick has been a promising golfer, as the former world’s number one amateur before 2014 when he became a professional golfer. In 2022, he was the US open winner–his first principal victory. In 2023, he won the RBC Heritage against defending champion Jordan Spieth. Shortly before the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, he achieved victory at the Ryder Cup with team Europe. Matt Fitzpatrick has participated in seven Alfred Dunhill Links Championships, with this being his first victory. Previously only finishing in the 15th spot in 2017 with a tie. This is his ninth DP world tour victory.

The formidable Fitzpatrick brought home two trophies for a pinnacle victory on the three Fife golf courses and also won the team competition. Matt Fitzpatrick and his mother, Susan, completed the team competition five shots ahead of the tied second place teams, with a card displaying 35 under, matching 2003 father and son team, Sam and Daniel Torrance. Fitzpatrick claimed the advantage as he was also the individual champion. Matt Fitzpatrick is only the second member to win both the individual and team competitions at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, only previously having been done in 2002 and 2006 by Padraig Harrington. His mother is the first female winner of the event. In an Instagram post, Matt Fitzpatrick celebrated their win stating, his goal was to win with his mother, and that he will remember this accomplishment forever. This year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was noteworthy for its stellar performances and weather annoyances, providing an unforgettable weekend for golfers and spectators alike.

Image: Wikimedia Commons