The world’s top-ranked Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick missed the cut at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Fitzpatrick made 28 consecutive cuts on the PGA Tour prior to the Open Championship, earning the longest active streak on Tour after Scottie Scheffler failed to see the weekend at Genesis Scottish Open.
One of the frontrunners for PGA Tour player of the year, he shot four-over in his 11th appearance at the tournament and missed the cut only twice previously in his career.
“You’ve just got to look at three or four holes for me,” said Fitzpatrick following just 36-holes at in Southport. “I’ve hit decent shots, gotten no luck and come away with four-over par. That’s the way links golf is. You need to have that rub of the green sometimes, and I didn’t have it this week.”
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Fitzpatrick carded three bogeys during the first round on the notably dry course as the northwest coast of England saw a heat wave just prior to the start of the practice rounds.
His second round was a bit worse, as he signed a card with four bogeys and a double.
Fitzpatrick struggled at the final mens major of the season -Credit:Getty Images
“I didn’t feel like I hit many bad shots all week,” said Fitzpatrick. “It’s a golf course that’s just awkward when it plays like this. For me, I don’t feel like I’ve got my length to take out some of the bunkers, and then you’re relying on bounces, and then you’re not going to be hitting your 6-iron close with how firm the greens are.
“I just played for four or five fliers yesterday, didn’t get one. Played for one today — didn’t play for one today and got it. That’s the way links golf is. It’s a lot of luck of the draw and rub of the green.”
Fitzpatrick has three wins and eight top-10’s on the 2026 season, and he’s made almost $45 million throughout his career on the American circuit. Despite the seasonal success, the former Ryder Cup star was not excited to pack his bags.
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“it is disappointing, but like I say, I didn’t really feel like I played that bad,” said Fitzpatrick.
“I’ve hit three shots today that I’ve hit them exactly how I wanted them, and one is in a bush 30 yards long. One has basically been on the green for basically 15 seconds and then dropped off the green, and that’s another dropped shot.
“Then I’ve hit one that somehow has gone less than the normal number, and there’s 15 yards of help downwind. Now all of a sudden you’re plugged in the face of a bunker.”