The winner of the Ryder Cup will be decided by which side can best knit together as a team rather than rely on individual genius, according to English prodigy Matthew Fitzpatrick.
As the latest leg of the bi-annual match-play contest pitting the finest players from Europe and United States tees off one interested observer will be golf in DUBAi ambassador Fitzpatrick.
The 20 year old finished seventh yesterday (Wednesday) in the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open at Al Badia Golf Club.
He turned professional this June following a storied amateur career which saw him become the first golfer since the legendary Bobby Jones in 1930 to concurrently hold the low amateur medals for the Open Championship and US Open.
The Ryder Cup’s format ensures a rare emphasis is placed on forging brotherhood among players who are used to battling on their own for the game’s most illustrious honours.
With this spirit in mind, Fitzpatrick emphasised the superior worth of the collective when asked to pick out the event’s key men at Gleneagles.
He said: “I see the whole team. I know that sounds daft, but you cannot single anyone out.
“There will be some important performers. Europe always have Ian Poulter, but everyone is as good as each other on their day and hopefully they’ll perform well.
“I have played with the American guys, and they are great players. They wouldn’t be playing if they weren’t.
“It will be a close match and the Americans all want to win it back, badly. Likewise, holders Europe want to win it just as much.
“I want Europe to win, but you cannot predict it.”
A trio of stars aged 25 or under are taking part this weekend. Rickie Fowler (25), Patrick Reed (24) and Jordan Spieth (21) are to line-up for Tom Watson’s USA, while world number one Rory McIlroy (25) and Victor Dubuisson (24) will be leading the charge for Paul McGinlay’s Europe.
When asked whether it was great encouragement to see golfers within his age range competing at the prestigious event, he replied: “Absolutely. Although I didn’t realise Dubuisson was that young, the beard covers that I think.
“It is definitely a target to try and make it as good as them. I have to take my time and progress as fast as I can without trying to go too fast.
“2016 is two years away but if I can get my tour card this year or next year, I can push on from there.”
He added: “I have played with [USA’s] Phil Mickelson and Jordan Spieth. Jordan has been great with me, I know him a little bit and he is a really nice kid.”
