A Rocky Road Back to the Top
May 2025 marked a low point for Matt Fitzpatrick. The Englishman slid to 85th in the world rankings, his worst position in nearly a decade. This drop came just two months after he parted ways with caddie Billy Foster and weeks after splitting from long-time coach Mike Walker. It was a chaotic period for a player who had previously won the 2022 US Open. Yet, the story didn’t end there. Soon after, Fitzpatrick began working with Alabama-based coach Mark Blackburn. The turnaround was swift. Glimmers of his old form emerged quickly, leading to top-10 finishes at both the PGA Championship and The Open. He finished the year with a strong win at the DP World Tour Championship, beating Rory McIlroy. Since then, the momentum has only grown, with three PGA Tour victories in 2026 bringing his career total to five.
Speaking exclusively to Golf Monthly, Fitzpatrick admitted that changing his coach marked a true turning point. He noted the difficulty of the situation, stating, “It’s obviously difficult. I felt like I knew where I’d been to in the game at that point, and you’re always trying to get back to that, particularly when you feel it slipping away from you.” The change in technical direction proved vital. As he told the outlet, “So it was a difficult time and I didn’t feel like I was achieving what I wanted to achieve. Unfortunately, circumstances led to a change in coach and that’s obviously had a big difference in the technical aspect of my game – and the results have come with that.”
The Irons Drive the Success
What exactly did Mark Blackburn change to spark this resurgence? The answer lies in his iron play and approach shots. When asked what part of his game improved the most, Fitzpatrick was clear. “The biggest thing for me is the irons,” he explained. The technical adjustments were significant. The irons have been, technically, just very, very different from his past, yet he now feels very comfortable hitting the shots he wants to hit. This comfort translates directly to scoring opportunities.
According to Golf Monthly, the improved iron play has given him better distance control. “And then distance control on top of that has enabled me to give myself more chances for birdie. When you pair that with some good putting, then good things tend to happen.” This combination of precise approach shots and steady putting has been the formula for his recent wins. The grind required to secure these victories was intense. Reflecting on a recent win, he noted, “But just everything about the way we did it – how we sort of ended up grinding on the back nine to get it over the line in the end – it was amazing.” The mental fortitude to close out tournaments has returned alongside the technical fixes.
Chasing the True Legacy
While climbing back to the top of the rankings is a major accomplishment in itself, Fitzpatrick’s focus remains on the biggest stages. He has set his sights on the future, including the possibility of playing in Ireland next year. “Yes, hopefully I can start next year in Ireland. I’ve got a younger brother who’s pretty good, so that would be fun.” However, personal milestones take a backseat to the history books. He compared his recent success to a specific feeling of triumph, noting, “I described it at the time like winning an away football match against your biggest rivals and that’s still how it feels.”
The ultimate goal for any golfer at his level is the number one spot, but Fitzpatrick knows where the true measure of greatness lies. “World No.1 is obviously something that I would want to achieve, too. But the Majors are the things, for me, that separate the greats of the game from everyone else.” This perspective drives his preparation. The technical work with Blackburn has been about more than just winning regular events; it is about peaking when it matters most. The path to the top of the standings is paved with consistency, but the path to immortality is built on Sunday rounds in major championships.
