Matt Fitzpatrick’s victory at the US Open was proof that the majors are unmatched for drama and emotion.
Forget the lure of loot, legacy and history were all Matt and his caddy Billy Foster cared about as Will Zalatoris narrowly missed his putt at the 18th.
The tearful smile on Fitzpatrick’s face as he embraced his parents and Foster lifting the 18th pin out to kiss the flag summed it up.
As nearly always happens on this kind of stage, we were rewarded with a worthy champion who wrote his name into the history books with a first ever major.
Fitzpatrick will go down as only the third Englishman in 52 years to win the US Open, following Justin Rose at Merion in 2013 and Tony Jacklin at Hazeltine in 1970.
He also joined a rather exclusive two-man club of golfers who have won the US Open and US Amateur Championship at the same venue.
The other? Jack Nicklaus who won then at Pebble Beach, adding the 1972 US Open to his 1961 US Amateur title.
So many of Jack’s records will never be beaten, so for Fitzpatrick to match the great man added another layer of sheen to what was a glowing achievement.
The question has always been asked of top amateurs: Can they make a successful transition to the paid ranks and achieve at the highest level?
We always hope they can, but the chance is less than one percent, so Matt’s feat puts him down as a ‘one percenter’.
I honestly think his experience at last year’s Ryder Cup - when he ended up with zero points from three matches - forced a reset.
He was found wanting at Whistling Straits and it forced him to re-evaluate where he ranked among the world’s top players.
Fitzpatrick has always struggled with length and the fact Sasho McKenzie has helped him find an extra 25 yards off the tee has transformed his game.
It is extremely difficult to compete if you're giving up excessive distance, but now Matt has added distance to all his other attributes, everything is in place.
It was wonderful to see him embrace the enormity of his win in Boston.
It was also fantastic to see Billy Foster, who caddied for the great Seve Ballesteros, realising a lifelong dream of winning his first major.
Billy has devoted 40 years of his life to professional golf and he has climbed his Everest.
The beauty and emotion of top golf, laced with history and legacy, was there for all to see and it proved that glory is the ultimate reward in the sport.
The 150th Open brings down the curtain on this year’s majors next month and there’s no doubt Fitzpatrick will be inspired to strike again when he tees it up at St Andrews.
Something has to give in battle of the tours
Golfing chat over the next two weeks will return with a vengeance to the ongoing battle between the world tours and LIV Golf Series.
The Saudis have upset the apple cart and it looks increasingly likely that more top players are going to defect to the new tour.
I just don’t see how 54 holes and a shotgun with team golf becomes the new ‘must watch’, but money talks and how this plays out remains to be seen.
The DP World Tour faces the biggest dilemma. A number of LIV players will compete in Munich this week, but long term will the tour follow the PGA Tour and impose a ban?
Also what of the rumours that the Saudis may be tempted to buy the DP World Tour?
Would an influx of Saudi money entice more top players to stay at home? Or is it poison that some can’t accept? These are potential questions coming down the track.
It’s a fluid situation, but Keith Pelley and his board have big decisions to make because the future of professional golf in Europe is in the balance.
I am worried how the landscape changes here and what this means for the tour, future Ryder Cups and our younger players coming through.
It is a time for the top brass to earn their coin and show strong leadership. Rory has carried the can for the PGA Tour, but maybe it is also time to help out the DP World Tour.
The likes of McIlroy and new US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick need to be in the room when these discussions are taking place because they have the power to influence.
The picture will become a little clearer next week when the Horizon Irish Open goes up against the John Deere and the latest LIV Series event in Portland.
The make-up of the three fields will give us a clearer insight into who is in what camp.
I’d love to say there’s room for everyone, but unfortunately that’s not the case.
Something has to give.
Power keeps on improving
Seamus Power’s stock continues to rise after he backed up his recent T9 at the US PGA with an impressive T12 at the US Open.
Some questioned if Seamus could transfer his promising pre-Christmas form into the competitive weeks of the season. Well, he has.
The very best of the sport have been at full tilt and Power has been in the mix, securing five top-10s across the season and two big performances at majors.
The most impressive thing about Power is that he continues to improve.
Hopefully his return to the Horizon Irish Open will help bring the crowds out and local fans can enjoy the fact we have another Irish golfer at the top of the world’s game.
BETTING SLIP
TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Rory McIlroy - 10/1 EW
Short price but a more relaxed week post-Brookline should suit.
Sunjae Im - 28/1 EW
Having last weekend off should have him recharged for Cromwell.
Russell Knox - 80/1 EW
Shorter layout will suit and might give him an each way return.
BMW INTERNATIONAL OPEN
Sergio Garcia - 20/1 EW
Could be his last ever outing on tour, so an emotional week in store
Dean Burmester - 33/1 EW
Power hitter can jump-start a big summer for himself in Germany.
Laurie Canter - 40/1 EW
Another LIV Series member who will be keen to make a mark.
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