British Open: Five European Tour Regulars With Portrush Hope
By Matt Coles
Matthew Fitzpatrick
The first Englishman on our list is Yorkshireman Matthew Fitzpatrick, who has history at the British Open, having finished as the Low Amateur in 2013.
However, that was his best finish at the tournament, as he ended his week at Muirfield in a tie for 44th. He also managed a T44 finish at Royal Birkdale in 2017.
Fitzpatrick has five victories on the European Tour, including winning the Omega European Masters in both 2017 and 2018. He won both events on playoffs, beating Scott Hend and Lucas Bjerregard, respectively.
The Yorkshireman also has the season-ending DP World Tour Championship under his belt, along with both the British Masters and Nordea Masters.
Along with his two playoff wins at the Omega, he made a playoff at this year’s BMW International Open. Although he lost out in that playoff to Andrea Pavan, the Englishman has shown good form so far this summer.
He has made the cut at all three majors so far in 2019, with a best of T12 at the U.S. Open last month. Fitzpatrick also finished in the top 25 at the Masters, along with a T41 finish at the PGA.
Could the Yorkshireman be a tip for Portrush glory? He tees off early on Thursday, going out alongside Padraig Harrington and Andrew Putnam at 07:30.