![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/matt-fitzpatrick-planning-life-after-golf.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\t\t\tThere are plenty of options for golfers once they hang up their sticks. For Matt Fitzpatrick, it will be a chance to follow another passion\u2026<\/p>\n
Matt Fitzpatrick has a dream. And no, it\u2019s not to bag a load more tournament wins, add to his major tally, or become a European Ryder Cup legend. In fact, it has nothing at all to do with golf.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old is renowned as one of the game\u2019s hardest workers and is delighted to have recently turned a corner after experiencing a slump, but his true passion lies elsewhere.<\/p>\n
And while he accepts it may never happen, Fitzpatrick would love to one day forge a career in soccer.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople think its a joke but I love football way more than golf,\u201d Fitzpatrick told BBC Sport<\/a>\u2018s Iain Carter. \u201cI\u2019m obsessed with football. It\u2019s brilliant for me.\u201d<\/p>\n The Englishman grew up in South Yorkshire as an ardent fan of Sheffield United \u2013 and never misses a chance to show off his love in his golf bag.<\/p>\n \u201cOver here in the States they show every game I could wish to see,\u201d he added. \u201cWhich is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Fitzpatrick said he has spent time speaking with the performance team at reigning Premier League champions Liverpool. For a golfer who has tracked near enough every single shot he\u2019s hit for more than 10 years, seeing how the best in the business operate in another sport was invaluable.<\/p>\n \u201cHow they use data, how culture is so important,\u201d Fitzpatrick explained. \u201cJust fascinating. Finding little things that maybe we could take into golf \u2013 I feel like we\u2019ve taken a lot from it.\u201d<\/p>\n Not content just to take what he has learnt and apply it to his profession, though, Fitzpatrick could even see himself turning a lifelong fandom into a post-golf career.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know when I\u2019ll ever get time to do this, but I\u2019d love to work in football if the opportunity ever arose in some way, shape or form,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s extremely wishful thinking, but I just find it so interesting to be part of. I love reading about it and everything about it.\u201d<\/p>\n For now, though, it\u2019s full focus on golf. After a dip in form at the back end of last year and into the early part of 2025, Fitzpatrick found himself outside the top 80 in the world rankings. What was more puzzling was that no matter how hard he worked, the results just did not come.<\/p>\n That forced him to make the tough decision to split with his long-time coach Mike Walker.<\/p>\n He began working with renowned instructor Mark Blackburn, who uncovered that Fitzpatrick has unusually long arms for his body and set about making improvements.<\/p>\n The early signs have certainly been encouraging. Fitzpatrick has enjoyed four straight top-10 finishes \u2013 including a T4 at The Open at Royal Portrush \u2013 at a pivotal time of the season with the FedEx Cup Playoffs starting this week and the Ryder Cup right around the corner.<\/p>\n He is currently on the outside looking in at Luke Donald\u2019s European team<\/a> who will attempt to defend the trophy at Bethpage but has given his hopes of qualifying automatically or receiving a captain\u2019s pick a huge boost.<\/p>\n Fitzpatrick\u2019s Ryder Cup record is not one to shout about with just one win and seven losses from eight matches, which just adds fuel to the fire in his bid to secure his spot on the team.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite my record I still want to be part of it to give myself a chance to improve on it,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is nice to play well at crunch time, the play-offs and the Ryder Cup. To be part of that would be very special again.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\tAbout the author<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t Golf writer and wannabe darts player.<\/p>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sheffield-united-putter-headcover.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754514913_289_awheadshot.jpg\"\/)
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n