Fitzpatricks seek major glory at PGA

Sibling duo mix rivalry and family as they chase title

MIAMI:

Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick, English brothers and two of the world's hottest golfers, are housemates this week as they chase a major title at the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink.

In the suburbs of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, two siblings from Sheffield must navigate the perils of a difficult course, world-class rivals and living with each other.

"We are different," elder brother Matt said. "He's messy, I would say. We shared a bathroom last week, actually, in the house that we shared, and it was a little bit messier than my side of the bathroom, I'll say. "I'm very strict on my routine. I want to do this and I need to see whoever at this time. If he wants to fit that in, that's great, and obviously we want to play together. But yeah, I want him to be able to do his own thing."

Fourth-ranked Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, was second at March's Players Championship and since then won the Valspar and Heritage titles and shared a victory at the PGA Tour pairs event in New Orleans with 27-year-old Alex.

Alex Fitzpatrick, who won his first DP World Tour title at the Indian Open in March, accepted a US PGA Tour berth and followed with a share of ninth at Doral and a fourth-place effort last week at Quail Hollow.

Alex will make only his second major start this week after sharing 17th at the 2023 British Open, when he also shared a house with Matt for the week.

"It's the same as ever," said Matt Fitzpatrick. "He'll ask me when I'm playing and he'll either join me or he'll kind of fit in elsewhere."

Matt Fitzpatrick, 31, has enjoyed seeing his brother's success.

"Impressed more than anything. Super proud of him for how he has been playing," Matt said.

The elder brother said he has not yet pondered how it might feel to be battling his sibling for a major title on Sunday. AFP