Matt Fitzpatrick insists that he is currently experiencing the finest stretch of golf in his professional life, a claim he made while preparing to tee off alongside his father at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The Englishman recently added a fourth global triumph to his résumé, clinching the FedEx Open de France by three strokes on Sunday. This victory follows three earlier wins on the PGA Tour this season, underscoring a campaign that has been nothing short of remarkable.
Although Fitzpatrick did not break into the top 14 in any of the major championships in 2026, he still managed to secure six top‑10 finishes worldwide in addition to his victories. He expressed genuine pride in his consistency and the frequency with which he has found himself in contention throughout the year. "This is the best period of golf I've played for sure," Fitzpatrick told the Sky Sports Golf podcast.
"2022 was right up there, but I've had three wins and now a fourth. The real story has been the sustained consistency across all the events." He went on to acknowledge the disappointment of a lackluster major season, noting that the primary goal for any player at the start of the year is to contend in the majors, as those tournaments carry the most weight. "It's disappointing not to have done that this year.
I felt a few days off during three of the four majors, and in the last one I didn't play well and mis‑executed my strategy," he admitted. "That said, it doesn't diminish the overall season.
I've been in the mix in a lot of tournaments, and that's all you can ask for in a year." Fitzpatrick's most recent triumph propelled him to the top of the Ryder Cup qualification leaderboard and secured a spot inside the top ten of the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai rankings. At 32, a strong performance in Scotland could see him ascend to a career‑high world ranking of No. 2.
When pressed about areas for improvement, Fitzpatrick said, "There are several little things we've been reviewing. As we approach the end of the year, we're deciding on the off‑season plan. We already have a few targets in mind; it's just a matter of how we structure the work to get there." The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship holds personal significance for Fitzpatrick. He won the 2023 edition of the event in the pro‑am segment with his mother, Sue, as his partner.
This year, he is paired with his father, Russell, for the team competition. Reflecting on the family dynamic, Fitzpatrick joked, "He might get a few more strokes – he'd probably admit that himself!" He also recalled his April victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he teamed up with his brother Alex. Looking ahead, Fitzpatrick emphasized the need for a strong run of days to solidify his position in the rankings.
"Hopefully, Johan [Rupert, tournament organiser] doesn't cut his handicap too much after this past week! He's been playing nicely, and you never know how pressure will affect things, but we're there to enjoy ourselves and have a good time," he said.
The full interview with Fitzpatrick can be heard on the latest episode of the Sky Sports Golf podcast, hosted weekly by Jamie Weir. Listeners can subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker, and vodcast versions are available on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. In addition to Matt, his brother Alex will partner their mother Sue in the team portion of this year's Dunhill Links event, which is contested across the historic venues of Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Golf Links, and the Old Course at St Andrews. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre of Scotland returns to defend his title, while fellow Ryder Cup stalwarts Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Justin Rose also feature in the field.
Past major champions Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith round out a star‑studded lineup. Fans can follow the live coverage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship starting Thursday at midday on Sky Sports Golf. For those interested in streaming, Sky Sports offers deals and a no‑contract option through NOW. The tournament promises high‑quality golf, family moments, and the ever‑present question: who will emerge victorious in this prestigious links competition?