How Matt Fitzpatrick Won The 2022 US Open

ENGLAND’S Matt Fitzpatrick won the US Open at Brookline after a dramatic final day. And he did it on the course upon which he won the US Amateur Championship nine years earlier thanks to a sensational bunker shot at the final hole.

In a three-way battle at Brookline that came down to the wire, Fitzpatrick seized control with a great break and an even better shot on the 15th hole for a two-shot swing. He was even more clutch from a fairway bunker on the 18th that set up par for a two-under 68.

Victory was not secure until Will Zalatoris, who showed amazing fight-back from every mistake, dropped to his knees when his 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th just slid by the left side of the cup. Zalatoris was a runner-up in the second straight major.

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler never recovered from back-to-back bogeys to start the back nine. He had a 25-foot birdie chance on the 18th that just missed and left him one behind.

Fitzpatrick was the second man to win a US Amateur and US Open on the same course, joining Jack Nicklaus who turned the trick at Pebble Beach. Juli Inkster won the US Women's Amateur and US Women's Open at Prairie Dunes.

Along with the $3.15 million in prize money, Fitzpatrick had the gold Jack Nicklaus medal draped around his neck.

Fitzpatrick, who briefly played at Northwestern before turning pro, won for the eighth time worldwide, and this was his first on the PGA Tour.

Fitzpatrick said he won the member-member at The Bear's Club in Florida at the start of the year, the course Nicklaus built.

“He gave me a bit of abuse at the start of the year. He said, 'Finally. Congratulations for winning in the States,'" Fitzpatrick said with a laugh.

And then slightly lifting the trophy, Fitzpatrick sent a fun message to Nicklaus: “Jack, I won a second time.”

12 months on, the Englishman prepares to defend his title in the 2023 US Open at Los Angeles Country Club.