THE 154TH OPEN

July 17, 2026

Matt Fitzpatrick

Mixed Zone

Q. Matt, how do you reflect on it?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, just look, this week, you've just got to look at three or four holes for me. I've hit decent shots, gotten no luck and come away with 4-over par. That's the way links golf is. You need to have that rub of the green sometimes, and I didn't have it this week.

Q. Talk about what's coming up for you now. Obviously some big things.

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, just three weeks off and wait and see.

Q. How will you reflect on the last couple of days?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, like I say, I didn't feel like I hit many bad shots all week. It's a golf course that's just awkward when it plays like this. For me, I don't feel like I've got my length to take out some of the bunkers, and then you're relying on bounces, and then you're not going to be hitting your 6-iron close with how firm the greens are. Yeah, just played for four or five fliers yesterday, didn't get one. Played for one today -- didn't play for one today and got it. That's the way links golf is. It's a lot of luck of the draw and rub of the green.

Q. Did the course play differently at the beginning of the week than it did the first few days here for you?

MATT FITZPATRICK: I wouldn't say so. I came two weeks ago, and it was way different to this. It was firm, but it was very green. Now it's just very, very firm. Yeah, it's just weird.

Q. You're clearly very disappointed, but when you reflect on it, is it going to be even more disappointing given the form you've been showing coming in?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, it is disappointing, but like I say, I didn't really feel like I played that bad. I've hit three shots today that I've hit them exactly how I wanted them, and one is in a bush 30 yards long. One has basically been on the green for basically 15 seconds and then dropped off the green, and that's another dropped shot. Then I've hit one that somehow has gone less than the normal number, and there's 15 yards of help downwind. Now all of a sudden you're plugged in the face of a bunker.

So I've got four shots, and three shots I've hit good. That's the way links golf is. When it's this firm, there's a lot of luck of the bounces and luck of the lies. It is what it is.