Alex Fitzpatrick secured his first DP World Tour title with a two-shot victory at the Hero Indian Open, a week after his brother Matt’s PGA Tour triumph. The Fitzpatrick family is celebrating a winner for the second successive week, with Alex’s victory following Matt’s win at the Valspar Championship last Sunday.
The Fitzpatrick brothers are the first brothers to win in back-to-back weeks across the PGA and DP World Tours.
Dramatic Turnaround in Delhi
Alex Fitzpatrick began the final round four shots behind defending champion Eugenio Chacarra, and the deficit increased to six after five holes. A dramatic turnaround saw Fitzpatrick surge ahead as Chacarra faltered.
Fitzpatrick picked up eight birdies in 12 holes from the sixth and took the lead at the 15th. Chacarra recorded six bogeys on the day, including blemishes at 16 and 17, giving Fitzpatrick a four-shot lead heading to the last. Fitzpatrick signed for a three-under 69 and finished on nine under, despite a double bogey at the 18th.
‘A Good Few Weeks for the Fitzpatricks’
The victory, achieved in Alex’s 87th DP World Tour start, ensured further Fitzpatrick success after Matt’s one-shot win at the Valspar Championship in Florida last Sunday.
Alex Fitzpatrick told the DP World Tour: “I will see my mum and dad [on Monday] and we are going to meet my brother in Florida. It has been a good few weeks for the Fitzpatricks.
“I will celebrate with a glass of Coca-Cola, call my friends and family and let it sink in.
“It has been a lot of hard work for a long time and I have a lot of people to thank for this. I am over the moon and am probably going to cry. I am ecstatic.
- The victory came in Alex’s 87th DP World Tour start.
- Matt Fitzpatrick won the Valspar Championship in Florida last Sunday.
- Alex Fitzpatrick finished on nine under.
“At no point today [did I think I had the win]. I asked my caddie how many putts I had from six feet so I think that says it all.
“I am mentally exhausted. It’s a challenge out here and I am happy to come out on top.”
Chacarra’s Final Round Struggles
Fitzpatrick Jr’s hopes of a maiden title took an early hit when he registered back-to-back bogeys at three and four and sat at two over on the day after five. The 27-year-old then picked up shots on three of his next four holes before bouncing back from a bogey at the 10th with five birdies in seven holes.
Chacarra began his day with a bogey and his hopes of going back-to-back in this event were dashed. They then completely evaporated with his three dropped shots on the trot from the 15th.
The Madrid-born player’s three-over 75 left him in outright second on seven under, with England’s Andy Sullivan, France’s Ugo Coussaud and South Africa’s M. J. Daffue sharing third place on five under par.
Alex Fitzpatrick said he is going to meet his brother in Florida.