2021 Hero World Challenge: Top 10 power rankings at Albany

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Sep 24, 2021; Haven, Wisconsin, USA; Team Europe player Matt Fitzpatrick plays his shot from the sixth tee during day one foursome rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Fitzpatrick has played great golf this fall, which helped him earn a late invite to the Hero World Challenge to replace Patrick Cantlay.

It will be Fitz’ first time at Albany.

While most of the 20-man field has been off for several weeks, the Englishman is coming off a T-2nd finish at the DP World Tour Championship Dubai. He fired 70-69-69-66 in the Race to Dubai’s final event, just three shots back of Collin Morikawa.

FItzpatrick was in the running for his second straight DP World Tour seasonlong title thanks to a win in October at Valderrama at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters, T-2nd this summer at the abrdn Scottish Open, two top-20s in WGCs and four made cuts at the majors.

The 27-year-old still seeks his first career PGA Tour win. He did have some lofty finishes in 2021 with T-5th at the Genesis Invitational, T-10th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T-9th at the Players Championship, T-4th at the RBC Heritage and T-10th at the Palmetto Championship.

He also qualified for his second European Ryder Cup team this fall.

Fitzpatrick ranked 15th on the PGA Tour last season in strokes gained off the tee (.539) and 36th in SG putting (.367). He’s not a long hitter, but he held his own in par-5 scoring average at 51st (4.6).

Fitz tends to play well in tough conditions, so if the wind picks up like it can around here, that could play right into his hands. I see him posting a top-10 in his tournament debut.

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