Matt Fitzpatrick targets US PGA Championship to end 107-year English drought
Matt Fitzpatrick is aiming to end a 107-year wait for an English victory at the US PGA Championship when the tournament begins at Aronimink on Thursday.
Jim Barnes was the last Englishman to lift the Wanamaker Trophy, claiming back-to-back titles in 1916 and 1919.
However, the 31-year-old from Sheffield arrives in Pennsylvania as one of the clear favourites to break that century-long streak.
Record-breaking start to the season
The 2022 US Open champion has secured three victories in his past five starts, banking more than $10.5m (£7.8m) on the PGA Tour already this year.
Currently ranked fourth in the world behind Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young, the Yorkshireman believes his current form surpasses his previous career peak.
A runner-up finish at the Players Championship in March sparked a remarkable run, leading to a triumph at the Valspar Championship and a strong performance at the Masters.
He then defeated world number one Scheffler in an RBC Heritage play-off before securing the Zurich Classic alongside his brother, Alex.
Eclipsing a golden period
“I think 2022 was my golden period and I said for two, three years afterwards it was the best period that I had ever played.” – Matt Fitzpatrick
“But the start of this year has definitely eclipsed that because of the results and the underlying numbers themselves have definitely been better.”
“I’m trying to cherish it as much as possible. It’s all happening very quickly.”
Remarkable turnaround in fortunes
This dominant streak is a stark contrast to his situation exactly 12 months ago ahead of the 2025 tournament at Quail Hollow.
Back then, the English star languished at 85th in the world rankings without a single top-20 finish to his name that season.
His rapid ascent is underpinned by elite ball-striking, ranking inside the top five on the tour for strokes gained off the tee, tee-to-green and approaching the green.
Precision key at Aronimink
While not the longest hitter on the circuit, his top-six accuracy rating will be vital at an Aronimink layout famous for its punishing fairway bunkers.
The primary concern for the major winner heading into Thursday is his performance on the putting surfaces.
He currently sits 99th on the tour for putting, a potential vulnerability on a course where he predicts the greens will act as the tournament’s main defence.
Nevertheless, historical data indicates that rolling the rock is traditionally one of his greatest strengths, offering significant hope for a historic triumph this weekend.