Matt Fitzpatrick insists that the stretch of golf he is currently experiencing represents the strongest period of his professional life, a claim he made 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 win the FedEx Open de France on Sunday. This triumph adds to three earlier PGA Tour wins, underscoring a campaign that has been nothing short of remarkable. Although Fitzpatrick did not finish higher than 14th in any of the 2026 majors, he still managed six top‑10 finishes in worldwide events in addition to his victories.
He expressed genuine pride in the consistency he has displayed throughout the year, noting that frequent contention is a benchmark many players would be satisfied with. "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 sustained consistency has been the biggest factor." He also acknowledged the disappointment of not performing better in the majors, explaining that the primary goal for any player at the start of a season is to be in contention at those marquee tournaments because they carry the most weight. "It's disappointing not to do that this year. I felt a couple of days off during three of the four majors, and in the last one I just didn't play great and I got my strategy wrong," he admitted.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the overall season remains a success. "I have contended a lot in a lot of golf tournaments and that's all you could ask for in a year." 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 lift him to a career‑high world ranking of No.
2. When asked about potential areas for improvement, Fitzpatrick said, "There are various bits and pieces we have looked at.
As we approach the end of the year, we are deciding what the off‑season plan needs to be. We already have a few targets, and it’s just a matter of structuring the approach to hit them." The 2023 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship saw Fitzpatrick win the pro‑am event with his mother Sue as his partner.
This year, he will partner with his father Russell for the same competition, adding a family dimension to the tournament. "I think he might get a few more strokes – he'd probably say that himself!" Fitzpatrick joked, recalling his earlier Zurich Classic of New Orleans victory alongside his brother Alex.
He also commented on the upcoming tournament schedule, noting, "We’re going to need a big few days to get us into a good position. Hopefully, Johan [Rupert, tournament organiser] doesn’t cut his handicap too much after this past week! He’s been playing nicely, so you never know – when the pressure’s on, things can change, but we’re there to have a good time and enjoy ourselves." Listeners can hear 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 vodcast versions posted on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. In this year's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Matt's brother Alex will team up with their mother Sue for the team component, which will be contested across three iconic venues: Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Golf Links, and the Old Course at St Andrews. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre of Scotland returns to defend his title, while other notable Ryder Cup players such as Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Justin Rose are also in the field. Past major champions including Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith will be competing as well, promising a strong and diverse lineup.
The tournament promises high drama and a chance for emerging talents to challenge established stars. Live coverage begins Thursday at midday on Sky Sports Golf, with additional streaming options available through NOW for viewers who prefer contract‑free access.
Fans can also keep an eye on the latest Sky Sports deals for further ways to watch the action. Overall, Fitzpatrick's candid reflections highlight both the satisfaction of a successful season and the lingering desire to translate that form into major championship success.
His family ties, upcoming team events, and Ryder Cup ambitions add layers of narrative that make the upcoming weeks particularly compelling for followers of the sport. The blend of personal milestones and professional goals sets the stage for an exciting conclusion to what Fitzpatrick describes as the best period of golf he has ever played.