Augusta challenge is perfect shot in the arm as revitalised Fitzpatrick sets targets

Sheffield's Matt Fitzpatrick believes his share of seventh place in the Masters represents a massive step forward in his already impressive career.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Apr 2016, 18:00 BST
Matthew Fitzpatrick, of England, reacts to his putt on the second green. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)Matthew Fitzpatrick, of England, reacts to his putt on the second green. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matthew Fitzpatrick, of England, reacts to his putt on the second green. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Fitzpatrick carded a closing 67 at Augusta National on Sunday, with four birdies in the last five holes seeing the 21-year-old record the joint lowest score of the day and achieve his first top-10 finish in a major.

The former US Amateur champion missed the cut by a shot on his debut at Augusta National in 2014, but has enjoyed a meteoric rise since turning professional and gaining his European Tour card via the qualifying school.

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Fitzpatrick led from start to finish to win the British Masters at Woburn last October and also finished seventh in the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, while his performance at the Masters lifted him to a career-high 39th in the world.

“It’s definitely a big step forward,” said Fitzpatrick. “It’s a momentum boost coming into the rest of the season. It’s the first major of the season and really the start of the year for everyone.

“I think when I came as an amateur I didn’t have any expectations. Mainly it was to make the cut. This week I’ve managed to make the cut but I just think it’s different. I think every shot really does count.

“As an amateur when I played it didn’t really matter too much if I missed the cut. It was a great experience for me (in 2014) and I think I wouldn’t have done as well as I did this year without that.”

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