2023 PGA Championship: Top 10 Power Rankings at Oak Hill CC

Matt Fitzpatrick became a major champion at last year’s U.S. Open, but he first got a taste of contention at the PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

The Englishman was in the final group but was not ready for the moment, sliding back to T-5th.

He clearly learned and grew from that moment. Fitzpatrick hung around all week at The Country Club and came up clutch down the stretch when it called for it. His bunker shot approach on the 72nd hole will go down in history.

Fitzpatrick blossomed from a good to borderline great player last year. Always a tactician, Fitzy added some power to his game. Big ballparks are no longer a daunting task for the diminutive-looking golfer.

He’s dealt with some injury woes in 2023 that have tamped down his results, but a win last month at the RBC Heritage where he outdueled Jordan Spieth in a playoff showed he’s trending back toward his 2022 self.

Prior, he also took T-10th at the Masters. After logging just one top-10 in his first 27 major starts, Fitzpatrick has three in his last four. He’s also on a streak of nine straight made cuts with all but two inside the top 30.

The 28-year-old ranks 21st on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained per round (1.05). He’s 34th in SG off-the-tee (.371) but is still seeking to get his approach numbers back up to snuff.

I don’t think this will be Fitzpatrick’s week to win, but he’s becoming a name to watch at every big event.