PGA Championship hopeful Matthew Fitzpatrick explains 'weird' emotions of battling brother Alex

Matthew Fitzpatrick says it will feel 'weird' should he end up battling his younger brother Alex for the Wanamaker Trophy at the PGA Championship. 

The 31-year-old is arguably the best hope to end England's 107-year wait for a PGA Championship winner. 

He arrives at the second men's major of the year in the form of his life, having already won three PGA Tour titles since March and rising to a career-high third in the world rankings. 

It is a stark contrast from the 2025 season that saw him sack his long-time caddie Billy Foster after a downturn in form that saw his inclusion in the European Ryder Cup team threatened. 

One of his victories this season included getting the better of pre-tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage and another saw him step into the winner's circle alongside his 27-year-old brother at the PGA Tour's pairs event. 

Alex Fitzpatrick proved the win was no fluke and justified earning his PGA Tour card with back-to-back top-10 finishes in two signature events. 

The younger Fitzpatrick was primed for a sensational victory at the Truist Championship last week and even held the 54-hole lead at Quail Hollow but came unstuck down the Green Mile as fellow European Kristoffer Reitan claimed his first PGA Tour title. 

Alex Fitzpatrick was outside the top 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking last October but is now 83rd. 

Could there be a scenario where the brothers have a late tee time on Sunday afternoon at Aronimink Golf Club?

"We have not really been in contention yet together but I would imagine it's going to be a weird feeling when that time does come," Matthew Fitzpatrick said. 

Fitzpatrick joked that he's now known as 'Alex's brother'. 

 

He added: "I love talking about my brother. It’s an amazing position to be in to have that privilege to talk about how well he's doing. 

 

"I'd so much rather have these conversations than the opposite of, you know, why is he not playing well and whatnot."

 

Matthew is the polar opposite of Alex in his approach to the game.

 

Whilst Matthew favours a statistical approach and still takes detailed notes of every shot he hits, Alex is less bothered. 

 

 

"I think he probably wanted to create his own path," said Matthew. "He's not really numbers orientated, I like to know the numbers.

"I personally just think that's kind of good practice, not being over analytical. I think Alex is kind of definitely more go with the flow.

"He is doing a good job of where he is at the minute."

Matthew won his first major championship at the U.S. Open in 2022. 

He described that as his "golden period" but believes he is now playing the best golf of his career.

"The start of this year has definitely eclipsed that because of obviously, a, the results, but b, the underlying numbers themselves have definitely been better," he said. 

"I'm trying to cherish it as much as possible. It's all happening very quickly."

The Fitzpatricks aren't the only English players in the field who will believe they can contend at the PGA Championship. 

Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton are also considered among the pre-tournament betting favourites. 

The PGA Championship gets underway on Thursday. 

Keep checking GolfMagic for all the latest updates from the second men's major of the year.