Matt Fitzpatrick launched his major championship career with a victory at the 2022 US Open. He held off challengers Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris at The Country Club in Brookline to claim his first major title at age 28—two years younger than Nick Faldo was for his debut major win.
Player Assesses Fitzpatrick’s Major Potential
Shortly after Fitzpatrick’s triumph, golf legend Gary Player weighed in on the Englishman’s prospects of replicating Faldo’s six major victories. Player acknowledged the possibility but deemed it highly unlikely.
“Yes, it’s possible but highly unlikely he will match Nick Faldo’s record but you have to have that dream,” Player stated.
Player argued that winning majors today is no tougher than in past eras. He contended that current players do not match the caliber of icons like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Raymond Floyd, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, or Sam Snead.
“No one who plays today is anywhere near as good as Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan or Sam Snead,” Player emphasized. “There is no one who is dominating and it’s the first time I can remember you can’t pick three players and say: ‘They are the three best players’. You get a guy like DeChambeau coming along and getting people excited winning the US Open and then peters off. It’s quite exciting but it shows there is no one who is dominating.”
Player’s Stern Advice on Golf Instruction
Player issued a strong warning to Fitzpatrick and other recent major winners about the pitfalls of swing changes. He highlighted a trend where at least 12 one- or two-time major champions have struggled post-victory due to poor coaching.
“We are going through a very interesting stage in golf now,” Player observed. “There must be 12 major championship winners that can’t play any more. This never happened in the history of golf.”
Player criticized modern teaching methods, despite advanced technology. “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been and yet they have all the technology in the world,” he said. “There are at least 12 guys who won one or two majors and, as soon as they win, for some unknown reason they go and have lessons from people who have never been in the arena and don’t know what they are talking about but are great salesmen.”
He advised top players to avoid instructors lacking tour-level experience. “Teachers today are very good for members and juniors but when it comes to teaching a player on the tour you have to know what you are doing and most of those who are teaching have flat-ruined careers. Don’t see a soul. Stay away from them, absolutely. A lot of what they are teaching players today is such rubbish. The stuff they are teaching is poison, no wonder these guys can’t play any more. It’s very sad to see.”
Despite no additional majors since 2022, Fitzpatrick’s recent form suggests he remains a contender to build on his success.
