Matt Fitzpatrick says he is currently enjoying the strongest spell of golf he has ever experienced, a claim he made while preparing to tee off alongside his father at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The English star recently secured his fourth worldwide victory of the season with a three‑stroke triumph at the FedEx Open de France, adding to three earlier PGA Tour wins that have defined an impressive campaign. Although Fitzpatrick did not break into the top 14 in any of the 2026 major championships, his overall record remains impressive.
He logged six top‑10 finishes in global events and collected four tournament victories, a combination that has left him proud of his consistency and his ability to contend week after week. "This is the best period of golf I've played for sure," Fitzpatrick told the Sky Sports Golf podcast.
He compared the current season to his breakout year in 2022, noting that the three wins he has already amassed, plus the recent fourth, underline a level of sustained performance that he values above all else. "The consistency has been the biggest factor," he added.
He did, however, acknowledge the disappointment of not performing as well in the majors. "Everyone aims to be in contention at the majors at the start of the year – those are the tournaments that matter most," he explained.
"I felt a few days off during three of the four majors, and in the final one I simply didn’t play well and mis‑executed my strategy. That’s a let‑down, but it doesn’t diminish the overall quality of the season.
Contending in so many events is all you can ask for in a year." Fitzpatrick's latest win catapulted him to the top of the Ryder Cup qualification list and secured a place inside the top ten of the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai rankings. At 32, a strong performance in Scotland could see him rise to a career‑high world ranking of No.
2. When pressed about areas for improvement, he said, "There are various bits and pieces we’ve been reviewing.
As we approach the end of the year we’ll decide on the off‑season plan. We already have a few targets; it’s just a matter of structuring the approach." The Dunhill Links event holds personal significance for Fitzpatrick. He won the 2023 edition of the tournament’s pro‑am segment with his mother, Sue, and this year he is paired with his father, Russell.
"He might get a few more strokes – he’d probably admit that himself," Fitzpatrick laughed, recalling his earlier Zurich Classic of New Orleans victory alongside his brother, Alex, in April. Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of a strong start to the tournament: "We’ll need a few solid days to get into a good position. Hopefully, the tournament organiser Johan Rupert doesn’t cut his handicap too much after last week’s play." Fitzpatrick also highlighted the fun side of the competition.
"He’s been playing nicely, so you never know – when the pressure is on things can change, but we’re there to enjoy ourselves," he said, underscoring the balance between competition and camaraderie. The full interview with Fitzpatrick can be heard on the latest Sky Sports Golf podcast, hosted by Jamie Weir, and is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker.
Video versions are posted on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. This year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship also features Alex Fitzpatrick, Matt’s brother, who is partnering their mother, Sue, in the team competition.
The tournament spans three iconic courses: Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Golf Links, and the Old Course at St Andrews. Among the field are defending champion Robert MacIntyre, fellow Ryder Cup players Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Justin Rose, as well as past major champions Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith.
The event promises high‑stakes golf and a chance for Fitzpatrick to further cement his claim of being in the best form of his career. Live coverage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship begins Thursday at midday on Sky Sports Golf.
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