Brother of major champion reveals surprising reaction to PGA Tour win

Alex Fitzpatrick says he was "taken back" by the friendly reception he received at the Cadillac Championship after earning his PGA Tour card.

Fitzpatrick and his older brother, Matt, won the PGA Tour's lone team event in April. 

Victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans also came with the added perk of the younger Fitzpatrick earning automatic membership on the PGA Tour, entry into the remaining signature events of the season and a spot in the field at the 2027 Players Championship. 

Some critics questioned whether a full PGA Tour card should be awarded through a team event. 

But Alex told the most recent edition of the No Laying Up podcast that there were no issues in the locker room or on the range. 

"It was unbelievable," he told the pod. 

"I had every player pretty much and every caddie come up to me and my caddie and be like, 'hey, we're happy you're here. Great work'. 

"That was something I was a little taken aback by, because I didn't really know how people would respond to me being out there. I felt really comfortable straight away."

Alex has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2026. 

He claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open. 

After securing his PGA Tour card, he has only missed one cut at the Genesis Scottish Open. 

In the majors, he shared 75th place at the PGA Championship, finished 23rd at the U.S. Open and 71st at The Open two weeks ago. 

He added: "I think part of that is being around my brother who's one of the best players in the world, it's definitely made me more comfortable. 

"I think also I've come to the conclusion that these superstars, they're literally just human beings who are pretty good at a sport. 

"They're just normal people who play golf for a living, and that's for me where I've been very lucky and fortunate to where I don't get starstruck by the people around me, or at least in golf I would say.

"I've always felt pretty comfortable being around these players and playing against them. 

"I think that's the nice thing, playing these signature events, you're going to play with superstars in all of those events, and you’ve just got to get on with it. 

"Golf is golf, and it doesn't change no matter where you are in the world. 

"If you can get that ball in the hole as quickly as possible, that’s all you care about."