Fitzpatrick scores first career major at US Open
England's Matt Fitzpatrick captured his first major title on Sunday by winning the US Open in dramatic fashion, making spectacular shots as rivals crumbled under final-round pressure. After a thrilling three-man fight down the back nine at The Country Club, Fitzpatrick fired a two-under-par 68 to finish on six-under-par 274 and defeat Americans Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris by one stroke. "I'm going to say it because I won but I hit some unbelievable shots coming down the stretch and that's what I work for," Fitzpatrick said. With perseverance, Fitzpatrick delivered his first professional US victory for a long-sought major trophy. "It's what you grow up dreaming of," Fitzpatrick said. "It's something I've worked so hard for for such a long time. There was a big monkey on my back trying to win over here and everyone, all they ever talked about was that. To do it as a major for my first win -- there's nothing better." World number 18 Fitzpatrick, who won the 2013 US Amateur at The Country Club, matched Jack Nicklaus as the only US Open and US Amateur winners on the same course, the US legend doing the double at Pebble Beach. "It means the world," Fitzpatrick said of the achievement. The 27-year-old from Sheffield, who shared fifth last month at the PGA Championship for his best prior major result, sank a stunning 48-foot birdie putt at the 13th hole to grab a share of the lead. At the 15th, Fitzpatrick blasted out of the right rough to just inside 19 feet and rolled in a tension-packed putt to reach 6-under and lead by two thanks to a Zalatoris bogey. "Got a couple of nice breaks on 15 and took advantage of it and that's what it took in the end," Fitzpatrick said. After birdies by top-ranked Masters champion Scheffler at 17 and Zalatoris on 16, Fitzpatrick clung to a one-stroke lead at the 18th tee. The Englishman sent his tee shot into a left fairway bunker, but blasted a magnificent approach to 18 feet and two putted for par. "I hit a 3-wood into the bunker and if there was one shot I've struggled with this year that I do not want it's a fairway bunker shot," said Fitzpatrick. "I guess ability just took over. It's one of the best shots I've hit of all time. When I saw it leave the sand and felt the strike I couldn't have been happier." Zalatoris had a 14-foot birdie putt to force a playoff but when he missed, the record US$3.15 million top prize went to Fitzpatrick. "I've performed so well here in the past. I have that comfort around this golf course," Fitzpatrick said. "I absolutely backed myself 110%. I feel like I can compete against anyone out here, particularly over the last two years as I've got longer. Hopefully this is the first step in getting even better." Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, fired the best round of the week, a bogey-free 65, to finish fourth on three-under 277. "My putting helped me a lot," said Matsuyama. "I was stroking my ball really well." Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and two-time major champion Collin Morikawa shared fifth on 278 while second-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm, the defending champion, shared 12th on 281 after a closing 74. Scheffler fired a final-round 67 while Zalatoris, now a three-time runner-up in nine major starts, and third-ranked McIlroy each closed on 69 and seventh-ranked Morikawa, the reigning British Open champion, shot 66. Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series players faced US PGA Tour members for the first time this week after the US Golf Association decided not to ban rebels despite suspensions issed by the US PGA Tour. LIV's 15 players, only four of whom made the cut, were a combined 118-over par. Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson led the way, firing a 72 to finish on 284. England's Richard Bland fired a 74 to finish on eight-over 288 with 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed on 290 after a 74 and 2020 US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau on 293 after a 75. The US Open winner takes a record US$3.15 million from a US$17.5 million payout. Last week's LIV winner, Charl Schwartzel, got US$4.75 million from golf's richest-ever purse of US$25 million. (AFP)