Chaska, Minnesota …
If there was a Ryder Cup for autographs European Team rookie Matt Fitzpatrick would win the gleaming trophy.
Since arriving at Hazeltine Fitzpatrick is on a mission to get the autogrpahs of all two dozen competitors in the 41st staging of golf’s USA and European showdown.
“I’ve got everyone’s autograph on our team except maybe Woody (Chris Wood) or Sully (Andy Sullivan) or Willett (Danny Willett)”, he laughed.
The Sheffield star is easily the youngest competing this week having turned 22 earlier this month, and also nearly two years younger than European team-mate Thomas Pieters.
Matt Fitzpatrick reveals his passion for collecting autographs.
And Fitzpatrick revealed he’s been collecting autographs since gaining full European Tour membership since at start of last season.
“Sergio (Garcia) signed a golf ball for me when I played alongside him this year in the Qatar Masters,” he said.
“He was giving out a ball to a little kid and I was like, I’ll have one of those if you’re got one to spare.
“Then I was lucky enough to play with Rory (McIlroy) at the Masters in 2014, and he signed my yardage book, so that’s a pretty special one. Same goes for Ian Poulter actually”.
Fitzpatrick recalled the first time he got interested in the Ryder Cup and that was watching the tears pour down Clarke’s face at the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K. Club, and shortly after Clarke’s first wife, Heather had passed away.
The first Ryder Cup I remember was Darren at the K. Club and that was very special and very emotional,” he said.
“But then I watched the 2010 Ryder Cup from Celtic Manor and I really sort of remember everything from that year.
“I had never been to a Ryder Cup, so this is my first.”
And Fitzpatrick, who is now a two-time European Tour winner, discounts the fact Europe will be lose out given there is a record equalling six rookies in Clarke’s team.
“We haven’t talked about the fact to each other we are rookies,” he said.
“I spoke to a lot of people before coming over here, and they were saying rookies nowadays aren’t really rookies. One of the rookies in our team is the Masters Champion, so that’s a big thing.
“Though this week is not about one player, it’s about the team and that’s the most important thing we are here for, as a team.”
