Fitzpatrick siblings revelling in each other’s success

As sporting siblings go, Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick are enjoying a good time of it.

It was less than a month ago that the English pair made history as the first brothers to win on the PGA TOUR and the DP World Tour in back-to-back weeks.

That was after European Ryder Cup star Matt won the Valspar Championship stateside, before a week later Alex claimed his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open.

And, as if that wasn’t enough for the Sheffield duo, Matt went and beat World Number One Scottie Scheffler in a play-off to become a two-time winner of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage on Sunday.

In doing so, the 2022 U.S. Open champion climbed to a career-high third in the Official World Golf Ranking.

So, while Alex, four years Matt’s junior at 27, may have been in the spotlight for a short amount of time, that was no issue – after all, he has long since come to terms with the fact that he may have to live in his brother's shadow.

“He gave me about a week of my moment, so it was fun while it lasted,” said Alex. “No, it's amazing.

“Yeah, kind of a whirlwind of a month. Yeah, [at] the start of the year you wouldn't have thought about having a month like that, so it was pretty cool to kind of share the moment with him so far this year.”

The Fitzpatricks are this week uniting as a team for a fourth consecutive appearance at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the PGA TOUR.

Across their three prior performances, they have finished T19 and T11 before a missed cut last year.

Just like ahead of their debut in 2023, Matt had won the RBC Heritage the week prior at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, but now the elder Fitzpatrick feels the pair are an entirely different force.

"I feel like this year, our expectations are higher given the form that we had shown this year, but if anything, I think because of that form, we're probably allowed to enjoy it a little bit more," said Matt.

"Yeah, I definitely think it's mixed [their expectations], but no reason why we can't go out and play well and have a great week as well as enjoy it.

"We feel like we have as good a chance as anyone to come out here and have a great result.

"So, I think you have to have that first and foremost before you tee it up on Thursday.

"Then obviously once you're out there, you've got to see where you're at and whether you need to, you know, keep pushing or just kind of hold your ground."

Alex added: "I think especially last year I felt like both of us weren't kind of playing to the best of our ability. Coming into the event was a little stressful, and it felt like, especially wanting to play well for each other, we added that pressure a bit more.

"Obviously this year with the form we've both been in, like he said, the expectations are high, but at the same time, it takes the pressure a little off because it feels more like we can enjoy this week rather than, you know, just adding pressure on top of what we're already trying to achieve."

Even before Matt's two wins in a month, the 31-year-old finished second at THE PLAYERS Championship so who's to say what could yet follow in the coming weeks.

And yet, among some observers, the ten-time DP World Tour winner is only starting to become a regular pre-tournament favourite at leading events.

So, whether it be the prospect of a win together at TPC Louisiana, which would earn Alex a PGA TOUR exemption, or with the next Major of the season - the US PGA Championship - on the horizon, there's plenty to be excited about.

"I've always believed in myself that I could achieve some of the things I have already achieved," said Matt. "I feel like my game didn't necessarily match my own expectations or beliefs maybe a few years ago.

"I feel like now I'm a different player. My game is very much different to where it was in the past, and obviously the results so far this season have kind of matched up more to the beliefs that I've had in myself and my own ability to contend.

"I think because of that, it's obviously nice to have that confidence going into the season and going into the rest of the events. Like I say, I'm also always happy to be flying under the radar. It doesn't bother me at all."