'My major-winning brother always has the same response when I give him s***... Only one way to shut him up'

'My major-winning brother always has the same response when I give him s***... Only one way to shut him up'

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 18/02/2024

- 17:34

EXCLUSIVE: Alex Fitzpatrick spoke to GB News at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship last month.

Alex Fitzpatrick feels fortunate to have a brother as talented as Matt Fitzpatrick to follow in the footsteps of on his path as a professional golfer - but that doesn't stop him trying to bring his older sibling back down to earth at times.

Alex turned pro just a few months after his brother won the US Open in 2022 at The Country Club in Brookline.


The Fitzpatrick clan were all there to celebrate on the 18th green when the 29-year-old sunk his putt to clinch the first major of his career.

Now Alex is looking to follow in the footsteps of his brother and is already making waves on the European Tour.

He claimed his first professional victory at the British Challenge in August last year and also made his major debut at The Open, finishing an impressive tied-17th.

The 25-year-old ended 2023 by earning his DP World Tour card for the new season and has enjoyed a steady start as he's currently ranked 30th having played six events so far.

Alex Fitzpatrick wants to follow in the footsteps of his brother

Alex Fitzpatrick wants to follow in the footsteps of his brother

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There's a long road ahead for Alex to get to the same heights as his older brother.

That hasn't stopped the pair from engaging in some healthy sibling rivalry, but the taunts between them always come back to how many majors they've both one.

When asked whether there's a part of his game that Matt would like to have, Alex joked to GB News: "I know he'd like my chipping and I would like the rest of his game.

"I try and give him as much s*** as possible.

"A couple of years back at the Italian Open, I think I was beating him by maybe point-five of a yard on the driving distance so I screenshotted it and gave him some s***.

"But it always comes back to the 'how many majors do you have?'.

"It always will until hopefully I win one myself, but for then it will be a long road ahead.

"It's a rare sight in any sport for siblings to be competing against one another in the same event, but the Fitzpatrick brothers have already lined up in the same field on a number of occasions.

They finished tied-third and tied-fifth respectively at the European Masters last year and Alex was also in the field at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where his brother went on to win.

While there's healthy competition between the two off the course, Alex admits that having his older brother there for advice has helped his own progress.

"The Zurich was an easy one because a lot of the players were staying in the same hotel," he added.

"My parents were there that week so it was easy for that in terms of seeing them and spending time with them.

"At Dunhill I played with him and we all stayed in one house so I couldn't get rid of him [laughs].

"It's nice, there's not many times - especially in sport - where you get the opportunity to play with a family member.

Alex Fitzpatrick won his first professional title last year

Alex Fitzpatrick won his first professional title last year

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"It's great and I'm very lucky to have someone in my family that's as good as he is and someone that I can pick the brains of.

"Alex is now making his own path in professional golf and, having witnessed up close his brother's incredible US Open win at Brookline, he's set his own lofty goals of one day doing something similar.

"To be that close up and personal for me, seeing how someone gets it done, how hard someone works, it definitley pushes you to try and achieve that yourself," he said.

"But a lot of people don't really see what goes on behind the scenes, especially on Twitter. A lot of people like to speak behind their phones.

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The Fitzpatrick brothers also played at The Open last year

The Fitzpatrick brothers also played at The Open last year

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"For me, it was someone who had been working hard for the past 20 years of his life.

"He tries to get everything out of his game that he possibly can and make the most of it.

"Luckily it lined up perfectly and happened to be at a major championship.

"That week especially there was almost a bit of fate involved.

"It was an incredibly special moment for me and my family and hopefully there's more to come."

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