Fitzpatrick sure to crack America

IN NINE starts in America this year, Matt Fitzpatrick has finished in the top 18 no fewer than seven times, including a runner-up spot behind American Max Homa in Washington on Sunday. ‘A first win on US soil is only a matter of time,’ concluded a chorus of commentators. While Colin Montgomerie, who remained winless in America throughout his illustrious career, is a classic case in point that this is not necessarily true, you do get the feeling that a big week is overdue for the 27-year-old from Sheffield, who is now the highest-ranked Englishman in the world rankings in 18th place. Perhaps it will come at the US Open at Brookline, near Boston, next month. That just happens to be the venue where, nine years ago, he became the first Englishman in over a century to win the US Amateur Championship.