Matt Fitzpatrick is convinced that he is currently experiencing the strongest stretch of golf in his professional life, a sentiment he voiced while preparing to tee off alongside his father at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The Englishman’s confidence is backed by a remarkable run of results this season, highlighted by a fourth worldwide victory that came with a three‑stroke triumph at the FedEx Open de France on Sunday. Prior to that win, Fitzpatrick had already secured three titles on the PGA Tour, underscoring a campaign that many observers are calling one of the most impressive of his career. Although Fitzpatrick did not finish higher than 14th in any of the major championships in 2026, his overall résumé for the year remains impressive.
He logged six top‑10 finishes in worldwide events in addition to his four wins, a consistency that he repeatedly emphasized as the cornerstone of his success. "This is the best period of golf I've played for sure," he told the Sky Sports Golf podcast. "2022 was right up there, but I've had three wins and now a fourth.
The sustained consistency has been the big thing, really." Fitzpatrick did not shy away from acknowledging the disappointment of his major‑championship performances. He explained that the primary goal for any player at the start of a season is to contend in the majors, as those tournaments carry the most weight and meaning.
"It's disappointing not to do that this year," he admitted. "I felt a couple of days off pretty much during three of the four, and in the last one I just didn't play great and I got my strategy wrong." Nevertheless, he insisted that the setbacks in the majors do not diminish the quality of his overall season. "At the same time, that doesn't really take anything away from the season as a whole. I have contended a lot in a lot of golf tournaments and that's all you could ask for in a year," he said.
The recent victory at the Open de France also propelled Fitzpatrick to the top of the Ryder Cup qualification standings and secured his place inside the top ten of the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai rankings. At 32 years old, a strong showing in Scotland could even lift him to a career‑high world ranking of No. 2.
When pressed about areas for improvement, Fitzpatrick noted that his team is constantly reviewing various aspects of his game and planning the off‑season schedule. "There are various bits and pieces that we've looked at.
We're coming to the year‑end and making those decisions on what the off‑season plan needs to be," he explained. "We've got a few things already set, it's just about how you go about that and how that's structured." Fitzpatrick’s connection to the Dunhill Links event runs deep.
He previously won the 2023 edition of the tournament, partnering with his mother Sue in the pro‑am team competition. This year, he is paired with his father Russell, adding a familial dimension to the competition. "I think he might get a few more strokes – he'd probably say that himself!" Fitzpatrick laughed, referring to his dad’s occasional mishaps on the course.
He also recalled winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April alongside his brother Alex, highlighting the family's strong presence in professional golf. Looking ahead, Fitzpatrick expressed optimism about the upcoming rounds. "We're going to need a big few days, I think, to get us in some form of position. Hopefully, Johan [Rupert, tournament organiser] doesn't cut his handicap too much after this past week!" he joked, referring to the tournament organizer.
"He's been playing quite nicely, so you never know – when the pressure's on, it can be a little bit different, but we're there to have a good time and enjoy ourselves." The full interview with Fitzpatrick can be heard on the latest 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. The Dunhill Links Championship this year features a strong field: Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre returns as the defending champion, while fellow Ryder Cup players Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose are also competing. Past major winners such as Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith add further depth to the roster.
Matt’s brother Alex is teaming up with their mother Sue in the team element of the event, which takes place across three iconic venues – Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Golf Links and the Old Course at St Andrews. Fans eager to follow the action can tune in to Sky Sports Golf for live coverage beginning Thursday at midday. For those without a traditional TV subscription, the tournament can be streamed without a contract on NOW, where viewers can also explore the latest Sky Sports deals. In summary, Fitzpatrick’s belief that he is playing the best golf of his career is supported by a string of victories, consistent top‑10 finishes, and a rising world ranking.
While major‑championship results have fallen short of his aspirations, his overall form, family involvement in the sport, and the momentum heading into the Dunhill Links Championship suggest that his best period may indeed be unfolding right now.