Matt’s bargaining chip for The Open
TWO-TIME Open champion Padraig Harrington reckons Matt Fitzpatrick’s “chip on his shoulder” has fuelled his US Open breakthrough.
But he feels the Brit will have a tough job to win back-to-back Majors because of a tough course set-up at St Andrews.
Fitzpatrick, 27, is one of the favourites to triumph on the
Old Course at the 150th Open after his stunning win at Brookline last month.
Harrington, 50, who captained Fitzpatrick at the Ryder Cup last year, said: “I’ve been backing Matt for a long time – I really felt he could go and win a Major championship.
“His style of game lends itself to getting the job done. People under-rate him so it gives him that little chip on the shoulder to get it done.
“I was delighted to see him get across the line and it will be interesting to see how he pushes on.
“If I was giving
Matt advice, I would say don’t worry about his golf over the next couple of weeks – just spend as much time recovering as he can.
“Just rest because of the mental stress, that’s what he’s got to manage.”
Harrington (below) thinks Open hopefuls will have to be fresh to cope with tricky and unusual pin positions.
The Irish ace, who lifted the US Senior Open last weekend, added: “It’s the home of golf and everybody is worried about what if the weather is really nice and the big hitters can go after it.
“They’re going to protect that golf course, so it will be a very trying week mentally, very trying.
“Pin positions will be difficult, they’re going to really put it up to us to use the imagination of the golf course.
“Strategy is very important. It won’t be just a case of firing away at every pin.”