Matt Fitzpatrick annoyed that coach gave Scottie Scheffler secrets to The Open success

Daily Mirror

8 hours ago

Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffler both work with putting expert Phil Kenyon, whose work with the latter has seen the American become the dominant figure in the world of golf
Matt Fitzpatrick jokingly admitted he's been left annoyed by Phil Kenyon's partnership with Scottie Scheffler due to the American's dominance at The Open Championship. The 28-year-old held a four-stroke lead heading into the final round of the tournament at Royal Portrush.
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Having already won the PGA Championship earlier this year, the world No. 1 was the favourite going into the event and has so far met expectations given the high level of performance he's exhibited for several years now.
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It was after Scheffler's 2022/23 season - where he won just two events - that he contacted Kenyon in an attempt to improve what was the weakest aspect of his game in putting. The pair began working together three days after Scheffler texted the Brit, which has resulted in the two-time Masters champion becoming golf's biggest force of nature since the days of Tiger Woods.
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He's since won 10 PGA Tour events, including two majors and an Olympic gold medal, while having been ranked as the sport's number one player since May 2023. After the third round of The Open, Fitzpatrick was asked about Scheffler's impressive play, and he poured praise on his rival's improved putting thanks to the coach they both share.
"His putting is night and day obviously," the 2022 US Open champion said on Saturday. "From what you guys all talk about how bad it was at one point, I didn't play with him really in that period. He's just not missed a putt today."
With a pinch of humour, Fitzpatrick - who was then at third on the leaderboard with a score of nine under - shared his displeasure that Kenyon's work with Scheffler has resulted in his extended and continued dominance on the course.
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He added: "There isn't one putt that he's missed, and that's obviously the difference that's taken him to this unbeatable run, which is annoying for me that Phil Kenyon shared those secrets."
Fitzpatrick admitted Scheffler's run of form is reminiscent to that of Woods ', but he himself is one player that's earned huge success from working with Kenyon, with the pair first joining forces when the Englishman was just 15 years of age.
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In 2022, Kenyon was asked by GolfMonthly on how he felt watching his student claim his maiden major at the US Open given the journey they'd be on. "It's amazing. When you say it like that, it kind of makes you feel a little bit emotional," he answered.
"The hairs have just stood up on my arms. No one works harder and he's applied himself over his short career so well, it's just nice to see someone who has those dreams and works so hard achieve something.
"Because you see it step by step, it just means a little bit more. It's been a real high to see him enjoy that moment and see how much it means to him.
"During the celebrations, you could see how giddy he was. His family as well, Russ and Sue and his brother Alex, are such good people, down to earth people, so to see them experience that with their son and brother is phenomenal."