Matt Fitzpatrick wins Dunhill Links and team event with Mum at St Andrews
Matt Fitzpatrick captures his ninth DP World Tour title at weather-shortened Dunhill Links in Scotland.
Matt Fitzpatrick clinched his ninth DP World Tour title with victory at a weather-shortened Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the Old Course at St Andrews.
The tournament was shortened to 54 holes as a result of a deluge of rain in the area over the weekend.
Tournament organizers considered it was the fairest solution possible for all players in the field to have competed the tournament over all three rotation courses at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie.
Fitzpatrick, who was a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup team at Marco Simone just a week previous, carded a 6-under 66 on the Old Course at St Andrews on Monday afternoon to finish the week at 19-under par.
"It's amazing, winning is difficult. For me, I had a chance in Switzerland, that one hurt a lot as I felt like I had been playing better in the summer," said Fitzpatrick.
"This week was a freewheeling week, playing with Mum, and then just played well at Carnoustie and got on a hot run the last two rounds."
.@MattFitz94 opens up a two-shot lead with his sixth birdie of the day #dunhilllinks pic.twitter.com/WAYZsGeoFv
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 9, 2023
A birdie finish for @MattFitz94
He holds a three-shot lead in the clubhouse at -19. #dunhilllinks pic.twitter.com/uuzqkOrUV3— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 9, 2023
That was enough for a three-stroke victory over Marcus Armitage (66, Carnoustie), Matthew Southgate (66, St Andrews) and defending champion Ryan Fox (65, St Andrews).
Sebastian Soderberg flew home with a 10-under 62 at Kingsbarns to finish solo fifth on 15-under par.
Fitzpatrick also won the team event alongside his mother Susan on 35-under par.
"This year Mum played fantastic and I played real solid too. Could not ask for a better week," added Fitzpatrick.
"It does not get better than this. Winning at St Andrews is just a very special place."
A Fitzpatrick family success@MattFitz94 and his mum, Susan are the 2023 #dunhilllinks Team Championship winners pic.twitter.com/75rB8u9DQd
— Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (@dunhilllinks) October 9, 2023
Gareth Bale was competing in the team event alongside Romain Langasque but the team missed the 36-hole cut.
The former Real Madrid and Spurs winger did, however, beat Langasque with his own ball in the first round.
Dunhill Links Final Leaderboard
-19 M Fitzpatrick (Eng)
-16 M Southgate, M Armitage (Eng), R Fox (NZ)
-15 S Soderberg (Swe)