Monday 7 May 2018 16:45, UK
Matt Fitzpatrick is raring to go ahead of golf’s unofficial fifth major as he bids to make the next step in his burgeoning career.
The unassuming, determined and supremely talented 23-year-old already holds four titles on the European Tour, but success in America - and major tournaments - will be the next pivotal markers on his golfing journey.
That journey continues this week at The Players' Championship and Fitzpatrick, who enjoyed a hugely successful amateur career before turning professional in 2014, heads to the world-renowned TPC Sawgrass in Florida for the start of a hugely significant spell of golf with the added incentive of a second Ryder Cup appearance on offer.
The Englishman is without a victory this season and hasn't quite found his A-game but the 2015 British Masters champion - his maiden tour win, at Woburn, in his rookie season - is certain the hard work put in with coaches Mike Walker and Pete Cowen will stand him in good stead.
"You have got to keep up with a lot of things in your game to stay on track," Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports.
"It is not easy - you travel so much. Sometimes you don't really want to practice but you know you have got to because someone else is out there practicing.
"You have got to keep on working hard and just doing the best you can.
"It's important to have a good coach and someone who knows your swing inside out and knows what you need to be working on and when."
This week's 45th edition of the PGA Tour's flagship event will see Fitzpatrick compete for the third time at the Ponte Vedra course aiming to avoid a repeat of his previous two visits, when he missed the cut on both occasions.
Fitzpatrick does not hold dual membership of both the European Tour and PGA Tour which means he is limited to 12 appearances across the pond, including the four majors and says he is not surprised by the growing numbers of European golfers playing Stateside.
"I think it is more to do with playing a good schedule. For the guys that are able to play in the US they don't really want to play in some of the events in Europe," Fitzpatrick said.
"You can be going from Bay Hill in Florida all the way to India, Thailand or Qatar for example and all that travel isn't very good obviously! It isn't ideal to be going the other side of the world just for a week's tournament.
"You are also playing against some of the best players in the world [on the PGA Tour] and their schedule is better suited."
A strong showing for the world No 38 would help Fitzpatrick earn PGA Tour Special Temporary Membership and thus an unlimited number of sponsor invitations for the remainder of the season - something which could increase his chances of featuring in Thomas Bjorn's European side at Le Golf National.
"Every time I play I am just trying to play as well as I can. But at the same time, I am trying to get enough FedEx Cup points to get unlimited starts on the PGA Tour.
"That is the goal for the time being and maybe try and play a few more events. Hopefully I can do it over the next couple of events."
European golf, in particular the British Isles, possesses a strength in depth with players such as Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton excelling on the world stage, and the prospect of another thrilling matchplay encounter against USA in September awaits.
"It is great to see those players doing well," added Fitzpatrick. "It was always going to be the case - they are good young players and their [positive] results were always going to happen for them sooner or later.
"It should give them good build-up and confidence in the lead-up to France. I think it is exciting for everyone involved."
Before then, Fitzpatrick has to earn the right to a second automatic selection following his appearance in Darren Clarke's unsuccessful side from Hazeltine two years ago, and the Yorkshireman is looking forward to the BMW PGA Championship with much anticipation.
"Because I live up north I didn't really grow up around Wentworth," he said.
"I know a lot of the players have done that so I never really went as a kid but having played there I know how big and important the event is.
"With all the UK crowds it is always exciting really. They love cheering on their home players and the crowd is what makes the event so special. It is always a great week."
The task facing Fitzpatrick, on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, will be demanding but he has plenty of reasons to relish the challenge.
Watch The Players Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf.
