DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

November 15, 2022

Matt Fitzpatrick

Jumeirah Golf Estates

Press Conference

BRIONY CARLYON: This week at the DP World Tour Championship, being in Dubai, you've won twice. How much do you enjoy coming back here, and what does it take to get the job done and win?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I absolutely love this place. It's the best golf course that I play all year from a performance point of view against every other golf course I've ever played on tour. I love being back here. I have so many positive memories, and just having the confidence, knowing that the shots that I've hit here, and obviously won twice as well, so this is a place I love to come.

Q. Why do you like it so much here? What is it about the golf course that suits your game? People used to say it's a bomber's game. I know you're a massive big hitter now.

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I'm a big bomber now, yeah.

Q. What is it about it?

MATT FITZPATRICK: I remember when I first came here in 2015, everyone said they didn't think that it would necessarily suit me because it is a big golf course.

But there are things that you have to do well here, is putting is No. 1. That's the biggest influencer of playing well here, and driving is No. 2, and they are both my strengths.

So over the years, obviously particularly as I've got longer as well now, that's obviously been a big bonus and greens are just so pure here as well. They are the same every year. They are like glass, and I putt well, as well.

So it's just being comfortable out here and I think having those two strengths of my game, also being what it takes to do well around here is a big help.

Q. Given that you've added so many more yards to your game, how different will this golf course be? This is the first time you'll be playing here on the golf course with the added yardage to your drives.

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, the last two days, I played 18 this morning and nine yesterday, and there's definitely a few holes where I'm just going in with a little bit less club in. I would imagine it might be a bit more so once the tournament comes up, probably a bit more adrenaline and hit it a bit further as well.

Yeah, it's just a big help. You've seen Rory all these years play so well around here, and he can take bunkers out whenever he wants and it definitely is a big advantage to have that length around here.

Q. Any particular hole that stood out for you where it made a massive difference?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Not that I would say so far but maybe by the end of the week, I'll be able to answer that one. Nothing's stood out yet but we'll see.

Q. Any plans to add anymore yardage?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing. I spoke to Sasho MacKenzie, who I've worked with on it, and it's his product, the Stack.

We had a team meeting sort of end of October after the CJ Cup and kind of discussed everything about where my game was at and we basically said, carry on doing what you're doing, particularly in the driving. So I'll just keep speed training the entire time.

One thing I talked to Sasho about the other week is that if I do stop doing that anyway for a lengthy period of time, I would lose that speed, anyway, like anyone would. It's not just a case of improving but it's a case of maintaining, as well.

Q. You started working with Sasho MacKenzie on ground force and reaction in the gym. Can you explain to us what you're working on?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, so I worked with Sasho probably end of 2020 was our first session from what I can remember, and he was just explaining how to get more distance through technique changes and using the ground more. Then I spent more time with him -- sorry, that was start of 2019, maybe I worked with him, and then 2020 came for a second session, and that's when he gave me the Stack and that's made the biggest difference to my distance, yeah.

Q. Did you read any of the scientific papers?

MATT FITZPATRICK: I'm not smart enough to read those.

BRIONY CARLYON: Thank you for your time and all the best this week.