The 2022 US Open was one for the ages. Matt Fitzpatrick stunned the world last night and it still feels surreal. After an incredible weekend of Golf, it’s time to reflect on the rollercoaster that was, and look forward to what promises to be another sporting spectacle in just a few weeks.
We need more US Open’s here
The Country Club at Brookline played host to the US Open for only the fourth ever time and the first time since 1988 and boy, did it ever deliver. This weekend was filled with magical moments from the most unlikely of places, and dashes of heartbreak from those just as unthinkable. It was a course that humbled the greatest golfers on Earth and reminded us that they are indeed human.
To see Scottie Scheffler pitch a ball on the edge of the green only for it to roll 40 yards back to in an inch in front of his feet was not only something we could all relate to, but the type of shot that we saw haunt the biggest of names in the biggest of moments throughout the weekend.
To defeat this course, you needed to be cool, calm, collected, and plot your way round with surgical precision. That brings us to my next big takeaway.
A new hope wins the US Open
Matt Fitzpatrick became the first Englishman to win a major since Danny Willett in 2016. After seven wins on the DP World Tour, the 27-year-old finally broke through the glass ceiling to claim not only his first PGA Tour win, but his first Major as well.
He and Jack Nicklaus now share the fact that they are both US Amateur & US Open Champions at the same venue.
Fitzpatrick Played a fantastic tournament. His new chipping stroke is clearly working wonders, but what stood out more than anything was the level of composure he had. While stars were consistently applying the pressure on him on Sunday, carving into his lead, he stayed calm and played his own game.
The Bunker shot on 18 will be played in highlight reels for decades to come. After a steady climb up the PGA Tour rankings, Fitzpatrick proved that he can not only be in the mix on the biggest stage of all, but can go the whole way and get it done. It was a sensational performance from a young man who’s destined for more.
Will Zalatoris made me cry
I’ve been a fan of Will Zalatoris since he first broke onto the PGA Tour. I can’t believe a meme about being Happy Gilmore’s caddy not only made me become an avid fan, but fall helplessly in love with his ball-striking and the road he’s walking. On Sunday, I shed my first tear because a golfer didn’t win.
It’s the second major in as many months where Zalatoris finished second. It’s the second tournament of the year where he missed a putt on the 18th in agonising fashion to cost him that first win.
The putting stroke of the Wake Forest product has long been criticized, but it’s easy forget that he’s only 25-years-old and since 2020 has:
Come 2nd in the 2021 Masters, 2022 US Open, 2022 PGA Championship, 6th in the 2020 US Open and the 2022 Masters.
He’ll get that first win eventually and I’ll be an emotional wreck when he does.
Forget the noise, Golf is in the best place it’s ever been
So much has been said about the LIV Golf invitational and the players who choose to play. So much drama has come from reporters pressuring players into explaining their decisions to join. Forget all of that for just a second.
We just saw one of the most thrilling U.S Open’s in years where two of the hottest young players were able to hold back not only a charging world #1, but the face of the PGA Tour, Rory McIlroy, and several other top-tier players.
Golf is exciting. More and more people are turning in to see these defining moments week after week, and the buzz around the sport is growing. Drink it in. Love it, or hate it, Golf is in the best place it’s ever been.
Could the British Open be any more exciting?
Colin Morikawa will be looking to defend his British Open crown in a few weeks, but could the tournament be any more exciting? Rory McIlroy has been on the fringe of another major all year long and now returns to home (kinda) turf with hopes at an all-time high.
There’s a star-studded field playing at the Home of Golf, St. Andrews, for the 150th British Open. After what we’ve seen over the past few weeks in the world of Golf, could there be any more hype?!
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
