Matt Fitzpatrick Urges Paris Fans to Amplify the Atmosphere After Stellar Olympic Round
Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick, 29, has called on the vibrant non-golf fans in Paris to keep the energy high after delivering an impressive second round at the Olympics. Fitzpatrick shot seven under par on Friday, catapulting himself up the leaderboard to sit just six shots behind leaders Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama, and his British teammate Tommy…
Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick, 29, has called on the vibrant non-golf fans in Paris to keep the energy high after delivering an impressive second round at the Olympics. Fitzpatrick shot seven under par on Friday, catapulting himself up the leaderboard to sit just six shots behind leaders Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama, and his British teammate Tommy Fleetwood.
Spectators have flocked to Le Golf National – the course where Europe famously defeated the USA in the 2018 Ryder Cup – to watch the world’s top golfers. Among them are many new fans, unfamiliar with the sport, which has contributed to a lively atmosphere that Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, is thoroughly enjoying as he chases a medal.
“It was nice to be a part of it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Having some of the non-golf fans makes it a little bit more exciting, a bit rowdier, and it created a different atmosphere, which was great. I’m definitely happier today after that round. Yesterday didn’t feel that bad, but I didn’t score well. Today didn’t feel spectacular, but I scored well.”
Fitzpatrick, now sitting on five under overall, noted the challenging start of the course. “The first and second holes are tough, so birdieing the first got me off to a good start. It’s different momentum for sure. You aim for level par on those last few holes, so playing them in two under today was a nice bonus.”
Fitzpatrick is just one shot behind the United States’ two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler. Spain’s Jon Rahm, a two-time major winner, holds fourth place behind the leading trio.
Tommy Fleetwood, a seven-time European Tour winner and Fitzpatrick’s British teammate, has also surged into contention after shooting seven under. Fleetwood, 33, has fond memories of Le Golf National, having been part of the European team that triumphed over the Americans six years ago and having won the French Open there in 2017.
Reflecting on his performance and familiarity with the course, Fleetwood said, “What happened six years ago has no effect on what happens tomorrow or on Sunday afternoon. But you’re always better off coming to a course where you have good feelings and good things have happened. I’ll definitely draw on these, but nothing that’s happened in the past will do it for me. It’s better to have good feelings than to come to a course that’s battered you to pieces over the years.”
As Fitzpatrick and Fleetwood draw on their positive experiences and the invigorating support of the Parisian crowd, their pursuit of Olympic glory continues with renewed vigor and optimism.
