By Matt Smith
Alex Fitzpatrick will follow in his brother Matt’s footsteps when the Englishman makes his professional debut this week at the Horizon Irish Open, the same tournament in which the recently crowned US Open Champion entered the paid ranks in 2014.

The Fitzpatrick family made global headlines less than three weeks ago when the older of two brothers, Matt, claimed a maiden Major title at The Country Club in Brookline, prompting emotional scenes on the 18th green with Alex, along with their parents Russell and Sue.

Having watched his brother make history in Boston, 23-year-old Alex is now ready to make his own mark on the professional game as he plays his first event as a professional at Mount Juliet Estate — following an impressive amateur career which included Walker Cup appearances in 2019 and 2021.

He has already had some experience among the professional elite — making the cut as an amateur at last year’s Cazoo Open in Wales, before playing at the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship three months ago.

Matt Fitzpatrick claimed a share of 29th position when he made his own professional debut at Irish national open eight years ago, kicking off a career which has thus far yielded a major title among seven other DP World Tour victories.

Australia’s Lucas Herbert will return to Mount Juliet Estate to defend the title he won in wire-to-wire fashion last year, while Tyrrell Hatton will be targeting his first win of the 2022 season in an event at which he has already claimed two top five finishes.

“I found out about the invite probably two or three weeks ago, I was incredibly excited,” said Alex. “So obviously it’s funny, following in your brother’s footsteps but sometimes that isn’t a bad thing, especially the route that he’s gone. Hopefully it might open a few doors, but if it doesn’t, I still have to play good golf and if I don’t play good golf, then doors will be shut. Just all about enjoying myself and working hard and hopefully get some good results.

“We’re different in a lot of ways. Our games are completely different. I would say he’s a great driver of the golf ball and a great putter, and I would say my iron and short game would be better than his, which is hard to say when he’s just won the US Open. I think if we were one player, we would be pretty good as well.

“Mainly he tells me all the time: ‘Hit it straight and you’ll be just fine.’ If I can start doing the same stuff he does, then hopefully I’ll be fine.

“I’ve got a great caddie this week in Martin, one of Billy Foster’s friends. Incredibly knowledgeable and incredibly funny as well. So I noticed he was a Leeds fan, so giving each other a bit of stick about that.”