JP MCMANUS PRO-AM

July 4, 2022

Matt Fitzpatrick

Adare Manor Golf Club

Quick Quotes

NEIL AHERN: Welcome to the JP McManus Pro-Am. Can you tell us about the experience you had out there this morning and the experience, if it lived up to your expectations

MATT FITZPATRICK: I mean, yeah, lived up to the expectations and more. There's not many golf courses in this world that there's nothing out of place, two spring to mind now, one is Augusta National and the other one is here. Yeah, it's a first-class place, first-class property and yeah, really is incredible.

NEIL AHERN: Can you tell us about the golf course itself? Obviously going to be a Ryder Cup venue in five years. Have you played here before and if so, has it changed since you last played, and not, how did you find it and what kind of golf course do you see it being for The Ryder Cup?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I've never played it before so it was all new to me. I think for a Ryder Cup, if we want it make it an advantage for the Europeans, probably need to tighten the fairways a little bit. Grow the rough up a little bit. You know, how we like to.

But the greens are a tough test. You've got to putt it in the right areas on them. You miss them, it's almost impossible up-and-downs, the difference in elevation from missing the green is really difficult, so yeah, it was interesting out there today. Just you know, like I say, it's in great shape and it was enjoyable to play.

NEIL AHERN: Been a busy couple of weeks for you. Can you talk through the last couple of weeks and how nice to be in a relaxing atmosphere when you come back?

MATT FITZPATRICK: For me, it's nice to be back in a routine, back playing again. I'm just ready to sort of get back to playing golf now and sort of getting on with things, and the two weeks have been fantastic and enjoyed them. But at the same time not really had a chance to enjoy it because it's kind of the first week goes a bit fast and then the second week I've got to get ready for the next two weeks. I'll be looking forward to after The Open when I get a good break.

Q. Did you have a moment the last two weeks when it sunk IN?

MATT FITZPATRICK: No. Still not. It's still not. You know, every day, like the big thing is, I've got a group chat with a lot of my pals and stuff and we just talk all sorts of rubbish on there, and any time that they try and give me any abuse, I just pull the card on them.

So it's just not sunk in. To be here today and every single person I walk past saying "congratulations" and "well done," I've been lucky it's happening a lot of places that I've been and it means the world.

Q. What have you enjoyed the most? Has there been a text message or phone call or anything along those lines?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Nothing, just the whole thing. The whole thing. But one thing I really enjoyed looking at the pictures, and kind of some of the coverage. I've not watched the SKY coverage yet. I've seen NBC a couple times but just watching other people and hearing other people's stories like watching it, and some people couldn't watch it, they were out of the room. One of my friends was jumping up-and-down at his house and screaming. Just hearing that sort of stuff has been funny.

Q. Along those lines, 27 years old, major winner, U.S. Open, how does it feel to be the new role model out there?

MATT FITZPATRICK: A bit weird, I guess, yeah. I'm still looking up to guys that are older to me, so it's weird to have other people, like you're saying, looking up to me is a bit different.

For me, I've just got to feel like I'm doing what I'm doing and stay as grounded as possible and I feel with the people around me that I've got that. I'd love to be a role model for younger players and younger people. Just keep doing the things I'm doing and like I say, stay grounded.

Q. And I know that two of the players that hope to be where you are from Denmark, Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, what do you think about them?

MATT FITZPATRICK: I've not actually played with Nicolai. Played with Rasmus a couple times. Great young players. What they have achieved on the DP World Tour is great at such a young age, and I'm sure they just want to keep improving and keep pushing on and trying to get better all the time. So yes, it's an exciting time for them and I'm sure they will be fine.

Q. Do you have get tired of people saying well done and congratulations?

MATT FITZPATRICK: No.

Q. It was fantastic viewing on television.

MATT FITZPATRICK: Thank you.

Q. And obviously the key to it was the fact that you have put on so much distance and you have a secret to that, and I'd like you to explain to me the difference between the Stack System and the Speed Stick System, so that even though I'm an old fogey, I might try and do something, put on an extra two yards and it might help me?

MATT FITZPATRICK: I know a little bit about the speed stick, I don't know a lot. I know there's three of them I think and they have a system, how many times you've got to swing it and stuff, so I couldn't really tell you about that.

The stack is very different, it's just one club five different ways. Basically you follow an app that tells you what to do. I think the app's got an algorithm that kind of works out what you need to do and what way to win and how many swings, and yeah, just follow that program, and I've been doing that the last two years. Ever since, it's helped massively.

Q. What sort of shape are you going to St Andrews in and how much are you looking forward to being there, going there as a Major Champion?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Well, I just shot 78 today, so ... no, I feel like my game is in fine shape. It's hard to tell. I've not played since. Next week is a course a know well and eases me into St Andrews. Hit plenty of balls and played well today and drove it well. Just didn't really putt well.

Like I said, I'm just looking forward to getting back into sort of a regular routine and playing regular tournament golf.

Q. I know after your win, you said you would talk to a couple of lads who have won majors already. Have you spoken to Rory?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Not yet. Not had a chance. Hopefully the next two weeks, maybe just have five, ten minutes.

Q. Have you spoken to Tiger yet?

MATT FITZPATRICK: It's funny, I bumped into him at breakfast this morning. We walked past each other and he kind of, you know, gave me a pat on the back, whatever, and said well done. It's a pretty nice feeling.

Q. Are you walking on to the driving range feeling different, or are you getting a different sort of vibe from the other players?

MATT FITZPATRICK: I don't know about a different vibe. To be honest all the players have been brilliant to me. Received a lot of messages from other players, U.S. players and Europeans, congratulating me, and that meant a lot. I really appreciated that.

But in terms of myself and the way I feel, yeah, definitely feel like after achieving what I did, I could go on to do more, and I feel like the big thing is, just trying to keep my consistency in what I've been doing to get me there in the first place.

So yeah, it's just a case of, you know, I guess a happy feeling that I've achieved what I've wanted to.

Q. Just to try to put a positive spin on today, have you come straight back down-to-earth?

MATT FITZPATRICK: I guess so. I guess so. But it's obviously -- Pro-Am format is always tough. It's tough to sort of really switch on, I guess. I played with three great guys today. We had a good laugh. So that was enjoyable.

Q. Just you mentioned people who got in touch and congratulated you and Pádraig Harrington was, and there was a bit of tick tacking with him in the US Senior Open, and still seem hick being competitive, 4-under par at the rope, do you see yourself going on that long?

MATT FITZPATRICK: No. I don't want to go on that long, either. He messaged me (beverage) he said, "JP's Pro-Am?" I said, "Yeah, but won't be touching that." He's phenomenal. We were talking this morning about his ball speed and swing speed for his age and he's faster now than he was in his prime which is incredible. An incredible achievement. So I'm sure that major was first of many on the Senior Tour.

Q. Finally about St Andrews, your record there and how do you think it will suit you next week?

MATT FITZPATRICK: I've only ever played it in the Dunhill. I've never played it in an Open. So you know, obviously that event is three other courses or two other courses. Not really had that many good finishes there but obviously, again, it's a different kind of format. Just have to see but looking forward to playing it, and like I say, it will be different for The Open.

Q. (Did you speak to Will Zalatoris).

MATT FITZPATRICK: Enjoyed the week but I texted him, first week of hopefully a long career. So just got to sort of move on.

Q. How would you care the course and in particular, the greens to all the various different courses you've been playing?

MATT FITZPATRICK: In my opinion, apart from the elevation changes, it's very similar to Augusta. Certainly the green slope, sort of the elevation off the greens, they all have very, very severe run-offs and you just can't afford to miss them and you've got to hit them in the right spots. Putting is difficult as well. That's what I found out today, and you know, the condition, you can't speak highly enough about it. It's truly incredible.

NEIL AHERN: Thank you very much.