Recently crowned US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick helped younger brother Alex turn down a deal to link up with the controversial Saudi-backed Golf series that began earlier this month.
The circuit - known as the LIV Golf Invitational Series - has sent shockwaves around the world of golf, attracting some of the sport’s biggest stars with mega-money deals, and huge financial prizes. As well as golf’s most renowned names - including Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson - circuit organisers, led by ex-world No. 1 Greg Norman also looked to poach some of the planet's hottest amateur players, which included Fitzpatrick.
As an amateur, the chance to turn professional and compete for a £20 million prize pot each event is no doubt a tough offer to turn down.
Alex though took the decision not to sign up - with the help of big brother Matt. Per Sportsmail he said: “Matt helped me make the decision along with my parents and his incredible victory emphasised to me that I made the right decision. It is about the dream, not the money, although the money is very nice.”
Older brother Matt wrote his name into the history books on Sunday, as he secured his maiden major - and PGA Tour - title with a dramatic victory at the US Open. His major win was an extra special one for the Fitzpatrick family, having taken place at the same course in which the Englishman secured the US Amateur title nine years earlier - with sibling Alex on the bag.
After his Brookline victory, one of the first people to greet the 27-year-old was the beaming Alex, as the pair shared a hug on the same green they had delivered the amateur title back in 2013. After watching older brother Matt make history, the 23-year-old revealed it has inspired him to aim for similar heights.
He commented: “Matt's win just highlighted to me why I practise hard every day. I can't tell you how much I want to accomplish as much as he has, and he is nowhere near finished yet either.” After turning the lucrative LIV offer down, Alex has made his move to become a professional golfer, with his debut coming at next week’s Irish Open on the DP World Tour.
The Englishman has unsurprisingly been preparing heavily for his maiden pro outing, and work on the practice field nearly cost him missing his brother’s US Open crowning.
“When I left the course to go home and practise he was four back and when I landed two hours later he was tied for the lead," he said. "Matt's win just highlighted to me why I practise hard every day. I can't tell you how much I want to accomplish as much as he has, and he is nowhere near finished yet either."
