Fitzpatrick is learning to love the links again

THE first time Matt Fitzpatrick played St Andrews, he was literally watched by a man, a woman, and their dog. Today, as the game’s newest major champion, he’ll be announced in one of the glamour groups for the first round of the 150th Open on Thursday.

Back in the mists of time it was just his mum, dad and the family pet who cheered him on as he came through 36 holes of qualifying followed by four matches to win a junior title.

‘I reached the final again the following year to continue my early love affair with St Andrews but it’s been all downhill here ever since,’ admitted the 27-year-old.

Fitzpatrick has always been at his best on difficult courses, and his liking for the Old Course waned as he played it each year in the Dunhill Links pro-am where the flags are largely placed in the middle of the greens.

Now he’s keen to rekindle the love he felt when he first set eyes on St Andrews.

‘I was blown away back then, it was the Old Course and I was desperate to keep winning matches because it would mean another round.

‘But my personal favourites have always been parkland courses like Brookline, Augusta and Harbour Town, so I grew out of links courses, if you like.

‘Now it’s the 150th Open, I’m the US Open champion and I’m keen to improve on my record in my home major.’

Fitzpatrick made an encouraging start to life as a major champion at the Scottish Open last week, finishing joint-sixth. It continued his impressive consistency over the last eight months, with ten top tens in his last 16 starts.

Yet his best Open finish in six appearances is a modest 20th placing at Royal Portrush in 2019.

‘It’s nothing to be proud of,’ he said. ‘A lot of that has to do with the fact I’m not as good a player in the wind since I started playing in America. We’re working on it.’