Open Golf: Fitzpatrick finishes as leading amateur

The Sheffield youngster wins the silver medal at the 142nd Open Championship

Matthew Fitzpatrick

Sheffield's Matthew Fitzpatrick has secured the silver medal in the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield.

The youngest player in the field shot a one over par round of 72 this morning to finish with a final score of +10, whereas his nearest amateur competitor Jimmy Mullen faltered in his round and could only manage a final score of +15.

Fitzpatrick played solid golf throughout his round, and the teenager made three birdies at nine, 12 and 17. His round was slightly damaged by a double bogey at 14 following a missed putt from around six feet.

Nevertheless, he held his nerve on the final hole following a wayward tee shot into the rough and made an excellent up-and-down from the middle of the fairway to receive rapturous applause from an appreciative 18th grandstand.

Tiger is my hero. If I'm honest, I'm hoping that he wins today so that I can finally meet him!

Commenting on the win, Fitzpatrick said: "?I'm?really proud. What it showed me is I can sort of compete with these guys.I'd probably say the highlight for me today was on 16 - holing the long putt with everyone surrounding the green was just great. It's just a great feeling when you do something like that".The 18-year-old has also received excellent support throughout the week, and was especially thankful for the people who have been behind him. "The support been brilliant all week," he said. "I could go on and on about it, but it's been amazing."

"Down 18 was pretty nice, although I did say to my caddie that I was hoping for a full grandstand!??It was just amazing. To hole out on the last one from about ten feet was a great way to finish. I didn't fancy a little one-foot tap-in. I thought it would be a bit boring."

And despite fellow countryman Lee Westwood being in prime position to win the tournament, Fitzpatrick made clear that his allegiances lie elsewhere.?

"Tiger is my hero," he said. "If I'm honest, I'm hoping that he wins today so that I can finally meet him!"

Source: http://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/features/articles/open-golf-fitzpatrick-finishes-as-leading-amateur.html

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