Maiden major-winner Matt Fitzpatrick wants to follow in the footsteps of Nick Faldo after storming to success in the U.S. Open on Sunday.
In a win many fans may feel was a long time coming, the Yorkshire man finished one shot clear of Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. That leaves Fitzpatrick five majors short of Faldo, the most successful British player of the modern era after clinching each of the Masters and The Open on three occasions.
"Six is the number," Fitzpatrick told reporters following the biggest day of his career to date. "That's the number that we all agreed on. I've got a bit of a way to go, but it's a good start. You want to go win more now, there's no doubt about that. It's easy to still go off track. I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing, and hopefully more will come. I'm delighted with one so far."
Considering he only turned professional in 2014, the 27-year-old has time on his side as he looks to embed himself among England's golf elite. The major duck was almost broken at this year's PGA Championship, but a disappointing 73 on the final day saw him settle for a share of fifth instead.
Despite deservedly earning the respect of fellow players and pundits alike over the years, Fitzpatrick still views himself as the underdog. And he doesn't consider his own tale too dissimilar from that of his beloved Sheffield United, who just missed out on promotion back to the Premier League this season.
“Not to compare it to my football team, I am the same deal,” added Fitzpatrick. “Not expected to do well, not expected to succeed. I have won a major today.
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"I feel like I certainly work hard for it and that is where I have grown up from, that is the mentality from everyone around there. It is an underdog mentality and you work hard for what you get.”
The Blades finished fifth in the Championship under Paul Heckingbottom but were knocked out of the play-off semi-finals by Nottingham Forest, who went on to reach the top flight. After unlocking a new level in his own career on Sunday, Fitzpatrick will hope next season ends in promotion.
'Underdog' may not be a term associated as frequently with the player following his first major title, painting a larger target on his back for future tournaments. Fitzpatrick said after Sunday's win that he "can retire a happy man" having become a major champion, but fans will be banking on there being more glory in store.
