Matt Fitzpatrick has openly declared that he believes he is currently experiencing the strongest phase of his professional golf career. The Englishman made the statement while preparing to tee off alongside his father, Russell Fitzpatrick, at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a tournament that brings together some of the game's most celebrated players. The confidence behind Fitzpatrick's claim is backed by a remarkable run of form.
Earlier this season, he secured his fourth global victory with a three‑stroke triumph at the FedEx Open de France on Sunday. That win followed three earlier successes on the PGA Tour, underscoring a campaign that has been nothing short of impressive for the 32‑year‑old. While his performances in the four major championships this year fell short of his expectations—he never finished higher than 14th—Fitzpatrick still managed six top‑10 finishes worldwide, a testament to his consistency and competitive spirit. In a candid interview on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Fitzpatrick said, "This is the best period of golf I've played for sure.
2022 was right up there, but I've had three wins and now a fourth. The sustained consistency has been the big thing really." He acknowledged that the lack of a deep run in any major was a disappointment, noting that every professional golfer enters a season hoping to contend in those marquee events because they carry the most weight. "It's the goal of anyone's at the start of the year to contend in the majors—those are what mean the most and those are what matter," he added.
Despite the underwhelming major results, Fitzpatrick refused to let that diminish the overall quality of his season. "It's disappointing not to do that this year. I just felt a couple of days off pretty much during three of the four, then in the last one I just didn't play great and I got my strategy wrong," he explained.
Yet he quickly pivoted to a more positive outlook: "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." His latest victory not only added another trophy to his cabinet but also propelled him to the top of the Ryder Cup qualification leaderboard and into the top ten of the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai rankings. A strong showing in the upcoming Dunhill Links event could even elevate him to a career‑high world ranking of No.
2, a milestone that would place him firmly among the sport's elite. When pressed about potential areas for improvement, Fitzpatrick admitted that his team is already reviewing various aspects of his game. "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," he said.
He emphasized that the groundwork for the next season is already being laid, and the focus now is on fine‑tuning the structure of his training and preparation. Fitzpatrick's connection to the Dunhill Links Championship runs deeper than the current competition.
He previously won the 2023 edition of the event in the pro‑am format, partnering with his mother, Sue Fitzpatrick. This year, he will share the pro‑am spotlight with his father, adding a familial dimension to the tournament that resonates with fans.
"I think he might get a few more strokes—he'd probably say that himself!" Fitzpatrick joked, referring to his dad's playing ability. The pair will join a field that includes notable names such as Robert MacIntyre, the defending champion, and Ryder Cup stalwarts Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Justin Rose.
Past major champions Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith will also be competing, ensuring a high‑quality contest. The Fitzpatrick family is well represented at the event beyond Matt and Russell. Matt's younger brother, Alex Fitzpatrick, will team up with their mother Sue in the team component of the tournament, which is played across the historic venues of Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Golf Links, and the Old Course at St Andrews.
This family involvement adds a personal narrative to an otherwise highly competitive professional setting. Looking ahead, Matt Fitzpatrick remains focused on maintaining his form and building momentum. He hinted that a few more strong days could solidify his position heading into the final stretch of the season.
"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 said, acknowledging the fine margins that can influence tournament outcomes.
Fitzpatrick's optimism is grounded in his recent achievements and the belief that his game is peaking at the right time. With the Ryder Cup qualification race heating up and the Race to Dubai points still up for grabs, every tournament carries added significance. The Englishman's ability to contend week after week, coupled with his willingness to adapt and improve, suggests that his assertion of playing the best golf of his career may well be justified.
Fans can catch the full interview on the latest Sky Sports Golf podcast, hosted by Jamie Weir, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker. Video versions of the podcast are also posted on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. The live coverage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship begins Thursday at midday on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available through NOW for viewers who prefer an on‑demand experience.
In summary, Matt Fitzpatrick's recent run—four wins, multiple top‑10 finishes, and a surge up the world rankings—has convinced him that he is in the best form of his professional life. While the majors have yet to reflect that success, his consistency across other events and his family‑centric participation in the Dunhill Links Championship paint a picture of a golfer who is both confident and grounded, ready to seize every opportunity that lies ahead.