NEW DELHI — Alex Fitzpatrick triumphed over a six-stroke disadvantage with a spectacular series of birdies on Sunday, besting Eugenio Chacarra with a score of 3-under 69 to claim the Indian Open. This victory finally saw him join his elder brother as a European tour champion.
Matt Fitzpatrick, the victor of the 2022 U.S. Open and a European tour champion on nine occasions, had secured the Valspar Championship the prior week in Florida. This marks an unprecedented occurrence of siblings achieving victories in consecutive weeks across both the PGA Tour and European Tour.
“It’s wonderful to be counted among the victors alongside my brother Matt,” Fitzpatrick declared. “At times, it can be challenging to perpetually pursue another’s achievements, but fortunately, since it’s my sibling, it’s not dreadful. It’s exceptionally gratifying to enter the ranks of champions with him, and I aspire to keep progressing. I revere him, thus I strive to emulate him in every aspect. May we both persist in our excellent performance.”
Fitzpatrick incurred two initial bogeys that placed him six strokes adrift of Chacarra after the first five holes of the concluding round at DLF Golf and Country Club. Following ten more holes and a remarkable seven birdies, Fitzpatrick established a one-stroke advantage as the Spanish player significantly lost momentum.
“I remain uncertain of the precise number of birdies I made,” he stated. “My sole aim was to persevere.”
Chacarra recorded three consecutive bogeys towards the end of the round, causing him to trail by four strokes (he had commenced the day possessing a four-stroke lead), and concluded with a score of 75. Fitzpatrick incurred a double bogey on the final 18th hole, yet still prevailed by two strokes with a total of 9-under 275.