PINEHURST, NC — Someone asked Matthew Fitzpatrick why he doesn’t wear a hat when he plays golf. The 19-year-old from England looked a bit perplexed before answering: “Don’t know. I played a few practice rounds this week with a hat because of how hot it is and how strong the sun is. Other than that, I guess it’s just comfort.”
Fitzpatrick wasn’t wearing a hat on Thursday when the 2013 US Amateur champion competed in the first round of the 114th U.S. Open at Pinehurst. But it won’t be long before a golf manufacturing company will be paying him big money to cover his head with its logo. His crown figures to be in demand once he turns pro.
Playing with 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose and five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, Fitzpatrick held his own, shooting a 1-over-par 71. His score included a one-stroke penalty on the 8th hole, his 17th of the day, when the ball rolled after he stood over it at address just off the green.
“I rested my club down and then it moved and touched my club and that was it,” he said.
Fitzpatrick called over the rules official, put the ball back into its original position and managed to get up and down for a bogey. He also had bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes and at the 14th and 15th, which he termed, “a bit annoying.” But he also managed four birdies.
“He’s a wonderful putter and probably left one or two out on the green,” Rose said of Fitzpatrick.
Most amateurs, especially at age 19, might be unnerved in such an environment, but nothing seems to rattle the teenager, who missed the cut at the Masters by one stroke and finished tied for 23rd at the Heritage. Even playing alongside Rose and Mickelson wasn’t intimidating.
“With everyone supporting Phil, you feel kind of left out and everyone is against you,” Fitzpatrick said. “But at the same time, to hear the cheers like that is pretty special. I had quite a few people shouting my name, so that was quite nice.”
Though Fitzpatrick was pushed to turn pro after winning the US Amateur, he decided to take advantage of the exemptions that allowed him to play in the Masters and the US Open. He plans to turn pro next week and attempt to earn his European Tour card by taking advantage of seven sponsor invites. He’ll forfeit an exemption into this year’s British Open, but could still qualify with a successful start to his pro career.
“Looking back it was the right decision,” he said. “It was important to take my opportunities while they were there. I think it was the right move.”
If Fitzpatrick makes the cut, he won’t make any money this week, but it could enhance his endorsement deals. He’ll also have the memories of beating Rose, the defending US Open champion, by a stroke and finishing just one shot behind Mickelson, who managed even par.
“They were both positive with me about me,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was nice to have that support from two fantastic players. I think it’s sort of getting to that stage of just developing my game to try to be as good as theirs.”