How money is talking as Fitzpatrick turns up volume
How such a promise can be made with confidence appears open to serious questioning, even though the latest tournament had a decent atmosphere and LIV have proved they can stage successful events at a local level in places such as Adelaide and Johannesburg. Whichever way you look at it, men's professional golf needs backers with the deepest pockets to sustain such levels of largesse. And where are such figures to be found when even the once bottomless pit of PIF cash seems under threat?
Fitzpatrick's parents on win against world number one Scheffler At least the climax to the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage provided a gripping finale to follow the previous week's thrilling Masters. The past fortnight has shown why pro golf can be a very attractive sporting product. On both occasions Scheffler banked multiple millions despite the frustration of finishing second on bogey-free weekends.
But credit Fitzpatrick for withstanding last Sunday's charge from the American four-time major champion. Sheffield steel shone through as partisan US support brought a Ryder Cup atmosphere to Hilton Head. "I'm paid so much money to be out there in front of those crowds," Fitzpatrick said.
"Having them chanting at you every week, it's a great feeling. "However, there's no better feeling than coming out on top against that. " Fitzpatrick had been on the receiving end of similar noise when Cameron Young hunted him down during the Players Championship in March.
He withstood even louder vitriol to grab a crucial half against a spirited DeChambeau fightback in the Bethpage Bearpit at last year's Ryder Cup. And after the brilliant shootout birdie that beat Scheffler for his most recent win, Fitzpatrick borrowed an analogy from his other sporting passion, football. "It's kind of winning away against your biggest rival," said the avid Sheffield United fan.