Rochester (United States) (AFP) - Reigning US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick said the crucial lessons he learned contending for a title at last year's PGA Championship helped him win his first major a month later.
Now the 28-year-old Englishman is back at the PGA Championship as a major winner and confident in his ability to add to his trophy haul.
Fitzpatrick won last June's US Open at The Country Club after a share of fifth in the PGA Championship the month before at Southern Hills, a near-miss that set up a breakthrough.
"I think I learned a lot from that," he said."That final round there was a lot of talk about me playing a little bit too fast, looking a bit rushed.
"At the time you don't see that and I only really had like a week afterwards before I was playing the next run of tournaments, so I didn't get much time to reflect on it.
"But then when the time came Sunday of US Open, I felt like I knew exactly what to do -- just do the opposite of what I was doing at the PGA."
That victory gives Fitzpatrick the belief that helped him beat Jordan Spieth in a playoff last month to win the PGA Tour Heritage title.
"Just the confidence that I can do it, I think being the biggest thing," he said."That week my game was the best it has ever been.
"Statistically I didn't even putt that well that week, so it's kind of a case of if I can play the same way again and putt as well as I know I can, then that's also another level that I can add to my performance.
"That's kind of a big thing, as well, for myself that I feel like if I can do that, I know I can contend and win."
Doing so this week will mean conquering the dense rough and undulating greens of Oak Hill.
"It's just a brute of a golf course," Fitzpatrick said."There are so many tough golf holes where you have to hit good shots.The great thing about it is it's a proper test.You've got to play good golf."
Fitzpatrick says he feels comfortable in more difficult conditions.
"It's a case of just grinding it out," he said."I hate it when tournaments are 25-, 30-under par to win.I just like it when it's hard and you've got to battle, and par is a good score.I just enjoy it, for whatever reason."
Fitzpatrick said patience will be a key this week as it was in his Heritage triumph.
"My game feels in good shape.I just think this golf course is going to be tough," he said."You have to do every single thing well.You can't get away with anything."
