Returning pros relying on their amateur status
BROOKLINE, Mass. — So what if it has been nine years?
Players who competed in the 2013 U.S. Amateur at The Country Club and are back this week for the 122nd U.S. Open on the same venerable grounds could have an advantage.
And no one should have a better advantage than 27-year-old Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick, who won that 2013 U.S. Amateur.
“It’s a memory that will live with me forever,’’ Fitzpatrick said. “I can’t believe it’s nine years ago really. It’s crazy how fast it’s gone.’’
Fitzpatrick was part of that U.S. Amateur field that was stacked with a future who’s-who of PGA Tour pros — many of whom are in this week’s U.S. Open field.
Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, played in that U.S. Am, losing in the quarterfinals. Bryson DeChambeau lost in the second round of match play. Xander Schauffele lost in the third round. Justin Thomas played and never even advanced into the match-play stage.
Others back after nine years include Max Homa, Will Zalatoris, Talor Gooch (who just joined the Saudi LIV Golf tour), Grayson Murray and Westchester County’s own Cameron Young, who’s the leader in the clubhouse as the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year at the moment.
Fitzpatrick defeated Canadian Corey Conners, also in the field this week, in the semifinal en route to his cherished title.
“I feel like I’ve got a good handle on the golf course from having that experience,’’ Conners said. “I made it far in the matches, so I feel like the learning curve on the golf course isn’t going to be crazy. I have that added comfort.’’
Fitzpatrick is ranked 18th in the world and is coming off a strong showing at the PGA Championship last month in Tulsa, Okla.
“I remember everything,’’ Fitzpatrick said of that U.S. Am. “I’ve been back a few times since, and love coming back here.’’
Why wouldn’t he? With his brother caddying for him and his entire family in attendance, Fitzpatrick defeated Oliver Goss 4&3 in the final to capture the title as an 18-year-old.
Fitzpatrick said that was “so long ago’’ that he has forgotten “most of ’’ the golf. What he does remember, though, is his brother leaving one of his wedges by the first green, and him asking a police officer to go retrieve it.
“I’ve not seen him since,’’ Fitzpatrick said of the police officer — not his brother.
Fitzpatrick’s win made him the first English winner of the event since Harold Hilton in 1911. He followed that triumph with a tie for 44th at the 2013 British Open and a tie for 48th at the 2014 U.S. Open to become the first amateur since Bobby Jones in 1930 to hold low amateur titles at the British and U.S. Opens at the same time.
He has bigger expectations now, particularly after his tie for fifth at the PGA Championship at Southern Hills, at which a final-round 73 derailed his chances to win.
“For me, this U.S. Open is different for obvious reasons ... just because of winning the U.S. Amateur here and just having such an amazing experience last time,’’ Fitzpatrick said. “It’s been on my radar for years that I knew it was obviously coming here.’’
Fitzpatrick has seven wins worldwide, but is still searching for his first win on U.S. soil, his first PGA Tour victory.
Scheffler doesn’t have that problem. He has won four times since 2021, including the Masters in April.
Like Fitzpatrick, he has vivid memories of his experience at Brookline in 2013.
“That was a really cool event for me,’’ Scheffler said. “I had won the U.S. Junior that year. It was a really cool year for me in golf. I have great memories of this tournament. I was walking around with my coach [Randy Smith] here in 2013 and he was here in ’99 [at the Ryder Cup] when Justin [Leonard] made the putt and he was teaching Justin at the time, so we both have great memories of this place.’’
Scheffler recalled staying with a family across the street from the course back then, and now can’t wait to tackle The Country Club as a pro.
“I think you learn a lot playing those types of courses where you stand there on the first tee, and you are, like, ‘Oh, my goodness, I’m going to rip this place up,’ and then 5-under wins the tournament,’’ he said.
Scheffler, Fitzpatrick and any of the others who competed in that 2013 U.S. Amateur at The Country Club would sign right now for 5-under as their final score.