Fitzpatrick excited for Ryder Cup bow

Matthew Fitzpatrick is relishing the prospect of making his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine National Golf Club later this month.

The Englishman clinched one of the nine automatic places on Darren Clarke’s European team last month and will be one of six rookies on the team, alongside Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Andy Sullivan, Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Thomas Pieters.

The 22-year-old has never experienced team golf in his career to date and is looking forward to a new format.

“It’s something completely new. It’s nothing that you do in the professional game,” he told Sky Sports News HQ. “There’s not much team events or matchplay going on so it’s going to be a great week. I’ve heard so many good stories about it and it’ll be exciting.”

The world number 46 will head into the prestigious event in good form as he has achieved three top-10 finishes in his last four tournaments, including a tie for seventh place at last week’s Omega European Masters.

The Sheffield native will be hoping to continue his good form in Minnesota as Europe go in search of their fourth successive Ryder Cup victory over the United States.

“Having some form going into it is helpful but I’ve still got one more week next week in Italy and then a week off before so I just need to make sure I’m fully ready for it,” he added.

Tagged Europe, Hazeltine, Matt Fitzpatrick, Ryder Cup