Matt Fitzpatrick is convinced that the current stretch of his game represents the strongest period he has ever enjoyed, a sentiment he voiced while preparing to tee off alongside his father at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The Englishman recently secured his fourth worldwide victory of the season, edging out the competition by three strokes to claim the FedEx Open de France title on Sunday.
This triumph adds to an already impressive résumé that includes three PGA Tour wins earlier in the year, underscoring a campaign that has been nothing short of remarkable. Although Fitzpatrick did not finish higher than 14th in any of the 2026 major championships, he still managed to notch six top‑10 finishes on the global stage in addition to his victories. He expressed pride in his consistency and the frequency with which he has found himself in contention throughout the season.
"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 biggest factor." He did not shy away from acknowledging the disappointment of his major‑championship performance. "Obviously that [a disappointing major season] is a disappointment. It's the goal of anyone at the start of the year to contend in the majors – those are what mean the most and those are what matter," Fitzpatrick explained.
He added that a few off‑days during three of the four majors, coupled with a mis‑executed strategy in the final one, contributed to the under‑whelming results. Yet he emphasized that these setbacks do not diminish the overall quality of his 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. Fitzpatrick's latest win propelled him to the top of the Ryder Cup qualification leaderboard and placed him inside the top ten of the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai rankings.
At 32, a strong showing in Scotland could see him climb to a career‑high world ranking of No. 2.
When probed about areas for further improvement, he noted that his team is reviewing several aspects of his game as the season winds down. "I think there's 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. There are a few things that we've got down already to go to – it's just about how you go about that and how that's structured," he said.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship holds personal significance for Fitzpatrick. He previously triumphed in 2023, partnering his mother Sue in the pro‑am portion of the event. This year, he teamed up with his father, Russell, for the main competition.
"I think he might get a few more strokes – he'd probably say that himself!" Fitzpatrick laughed, referring to his father's occasional mis‑hits. He also recalled winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April, a team event where he paired with his brother Alex.
Looking ahead, Fitzpatrick hopes for a few solid days of play to solidify his position heading into the final stretch of the season. He joked about tournament organiser Johan Rupert potentially adjusting his own handicap after a recent strong week, noting that pressure can change a player's performance but also that the event should remain enjoyable. "We're there to have a good time and enjoy ourselves," he said.
Listeners can catch the full interview on the latest edition of the Sky Sports Golf podcast, hosted weekly by Jamie Weir. The episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker, with video versions posted on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel.
The Dunhill Links field this year includes a mix of seasoned Ryder Cup veterans and recent major champions. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre returns as the defending champion, while Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Justin Rose also represent the European side. Former major winners Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith add further depth to the competition. Meanwhile, Matt's brother Alex will join their mother Sue in the team element of the event, which is played 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 starting Thursday at midday. For those without a traditional contract, NOW offers a streaming option, and Sky Sports frequently runs promotional deals for new subscribers. The tournament promises high‑stakes drama, with the prize of a coveted Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title up for grabs. In summary, Fitzpatrick's confidence in his current form is backed by a string of victories, consistent top‑10 finishes, and a clear upward trajectory in the world rankings.
While his major‑championship results fell short of expectations, his overall performance this season has been a testament to his skill, resilience, and ability to contend week after week. The upcoming Dunhill Links Championship will not only test his game against a world‑class field but also provide an opportunity to share the spotlight with his family, making it a personally meaningful event as he strives to cap off what he believes is the best period of his golfing career.