If Alex Fitzpatrick needed a glimpse into simply how life altering profitable on the PGA Tour can be, he didn’t have to attend lengthy.
Whereas celebrating victory on the Zurich Traditional pairs occasion, in tandem together with his older brother and world quantity 4 Matt, at a golf membership simply north of Palm Seaside in Florida, Alex felt a congratulatory hand on his shoulder.
“I look over and it is Michael Jordan,” Fitzpatrick says. “I am like ‘wow’, it is insane.
“He walks previous the desk. He is bought a bag stuffed with cigars, t-shirt untucked, he seems to be like the best individual ever.
“He walked previous me, noticed Gary Woodland, who received the earlier week, and was like ‘wow, it is a room of winners in right here’. That was the best factor ever.
“Once I began to essentially love basketball, I watched movies of him. I like his footwear. I liked every thing about him. It was surreal having that second.
“I am not somebody who will get starstruck however Michael Jordan, having him say stuff to me, it was a unique world.”
It’s a world, although, the place Fitzpatrick is trying very a lot at house.
Along with his maiden DP World Tour win on the Indian Open in March, Fitzpatrick has 5 top-10 finishes in 13 begins on the PGA Tour.
Whereas cynics have been questioning the advantage of receiving a two-year tour card because of profitable April’s Zurich Classic, 2026 has seen Fitzpatrick show his place alongside the world’s greatest.
And so certain is he of his spot among the many elite, Fitzpatrick hasn’t really leaned a lot on 2022 US Open champion Matt for recommendation.
“The reality is, we’ve not spoken that a lot about numerous stuff. I’ve picked his mind as soon as this yr, perhaps twice,” he says.
“I really feel comfy out right here and cozy across the group of individuals taking part in on this tour.
“I have been doing this a very long time, I have been taking part in golf since I used to be 4.
“I have not requested him numerous questions on how issues work, perhaps get higher with sure issues.
“He is all the time somebody I can textual content or name however he is nonetheless my brother and that is extra necessary than the golf aspect.”
