2021 Bermuda Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Port Royal GC

Matthew Fitzpatrick is fresh off his seventh career European Tour win a couple weeks ago at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters at historic Valderrama. The Englishman overcame a tough, tight and tree-lined venue to win by three at 6-under-par.

Fifteen straight pars opened his Sunday before finally creating separation with birdies on two of his last three holes.

His Official World Golf Ranking page shows this was his seventh highest point-earning event, and his fifth best win. The field he beat wasn’t elite, but there is personal and outside admiration for winning at a former Ryder Cup venue.

Speaking of Ryder Cup, Fitzpatrick joins the group of Europeans who struggled at Whistling Straits before bouncing back with strong performances, like Rory McIlroy winning the CJ Cup.

“It’s on the bucket list to win around Valderrama, with the history that it has. To do it bogey free on Sunday as well is extra special,” Fitzpatrick was quoted in a Golf Channel article. “You can hit half-decent shots and be behind a tree and you are chipping out or you got to maneuver. It’s a true test and to be patient the whole 72 holes… I’m really pleased with the way my attitude was the whole week.”

Since turning pro in summer 2014, Fitzpatrick’s won every year on the European Tour except for 2019.

He had some close calls earlier in 2021, including T-2nd at the abrdn Scottish Open, a Rolex Series event on the Euro Tour.

The 27-year-old is making his Bermuda Championship debut, as well as his 2021-22 PGA Tour season debut. Without a top-20 player in the OWGR to contend with, this is about as good of an opportunity as it gets for Fitzpatrick to win his first PGA Tour event.

Not to mention, his ability to hit it straight on a short, but windy, course will come in handy at Port Royal.

The Northwestern alum ranked 15th on the PGA Tour in 2020-21 in strokes gained off the tee (.539). A big reason for that is hitting 68.37% fairways to rank 17th. Fitzpatrick was a positive in all SG categories, including 38th in putting (.367).