The 2023 Ryder Cup is approaching fast. For Team Europe, Matt Fitzpatrick is taking part for the third time this year, after 2016 and 2021. The 29-year-old Englishman has impressed with strong performances so far this year, which he crowned with a victory at the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour. Fitzpatrick is currently eighth in the world rankings. However, after two pointless appearances at the Ryder Cup, the Englishman urgently needs to prove his ability for Team Europe this year.
Matt Fitzpatrick at the 2023 Ryder Cup
For a long time it was not clear whether Matt Fitzpatrick would qualify independently for the 2023 Ryder Cup despite a good season. However, with a strong shared third place at the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana and good performances in the FedExCup Playoffs, the Englishman managed to qualify via the world points list.
Fitzpatrick’s season performance in the run-up to the 2023 Ryder Cup reads quite impressively. In addition to winning the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour and a top finish in Crans Montana, the 29-year-old tied for second place at the BMW Championship. Added to this is a good performance at the Masters Tournament (T10).
Making his third Ryder Cup appearance ?#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/VELsVzMoOS
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 3, 2023
No points for Matt Fitzpatrick at the Ryder Cup
Matt Fitzpatrick’s record at the Ryder Cup so far is sobering. Team Europe came away empty-handed in both of his previous participations in 2016 and 2021, and suffered a clear defeat in 2021 in particular. Not entirely innocent in both cases was Matt Fitzpatrick, who also has an atrocious record on a personal level. At the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, that should change.
Fitzpatrick played just two matches for Team Europe in 2016 as a rookie and conceded two defeats. In 2021, the Englishman lost all three of his duels at the Ryder Cup. The sobering result: 0-5-0. In Rome, it will therefore be time to score his first points for Team Europe.
Matt Fitzpatrick’s greatest successes
Matt Fitzpatrick achieved the first major success of his career in 2015 when he won the British Masters. Six more wins on the European Tour/DP World Tour followed, including defending his title at the Omega European Masters in 2018 after winning it the previous year. In 2022, Fitzpatrick won the US Open, claiming his first major triumph. This year, the 29-year-old Englishman also recorded his second title on the PGA Tour by winning the RBC Heritage. Fitzpatrick’s total prize money amounts to around 22.3 million dollars (approx. 20.8 million euros).
Matt Fitzpatrick’s golf bag for the Ryder Cup 2023
Matt Fitzpatrick is relying on Titleist, Cobra and Ping for his Ryder Cup appearance. With the TSi3 series driver from Titleist, Fitzpatrick is relying on the brand’s previous model. When it comes to hybrids, though, he had the latest models in the bag. A TSR1 and a TRS2 Hybrid make it into his current selection. With the Cobra Aerojet 3 wood he completes the long clubs. For the irons, the Englishman relies on the Driving Iron from the Ping i210 series, as well as the Ping S55 from the 5-iron to the pitching wedge. For wedges, Fitzpatrick also relies on the Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 9 clubs in 52-degree and 56-degree loft. Along with Titleist’s WedgeWorks lob wedge, he complements his irons. When it comes to the putter, he goes for an alternative to the big brands and picks up the Bettinardi BB1 Fitz Blade putter, which was even named after him. As a playing ball, Fitzpatrick also uses the Titleist Pro V1x.