Rookie professional Matthew Fitzpatrick is heading to Wimbledon later this week delighted with his maiden play-for-pay efforts in the Irish Open.
The former U.S. Amateur champion, who turned pro following last week’s U.S. Open, repaid the invitation afforded him to shoot a final round 68 for a five under par tally on the Fota Island course in Cork.
Matthew Fitzpatrick delighted to earn first-ever pay cheque with T29th in Irish Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Fitzpatrick managed five birdies and just two bogeys to end with a share of 29th place and likely cheque of £STG 14,000/Euro 18,000.
“I have really enjoyed my week and it’s gone quite well for me,” he said.
“My first goal was to play all four rounds and I managed to achieve that despite a poor first round and I’m feeling very happy now.
“I found really not much difference competing out on the golf course compared to when I was an amateur and it’s just that there is more going on off the course to deal with such as media requests and sponsor commitments and so on.
“I’m not what I will do with my first prize cheque but then knowing my dad, Russell he’ll probably not me spend any of it.
“But in saying that it does seem a little bit strange knowing that it is my money and I’ve earned it, so that will be the nice part now of playing golf.”
In fact, Graeme McDowell earned a similar first pay cheque of his pro career at Fota Island 12 years ago also in the Irish Open.
Fitzpatrick’s next event will be the July 6th staring French Open at the Le National course outside of Versailles.
However his efforts to obtain an invitation compete in the following week’s Scottish Open has fallen on deaf ears.
Strangely, Fitzpatrick had earned a start at Royal Aberdeen after winning last year’s U.S. Amateur but once he turned pro the invitation was rescinded and an approach to Scottish Open organisers left him in little doubt he would not be afforded an invitation.
“I just think it’s a bit unfair that I had qualified for the Scottish Open but now that I am a pro I am unable to obtain an invitation,” he said.
