Alex Fitzpatrick’s world changed in just four days.
By winning the Zurich Classic alongside his brother, world number three Matt Fitzpatrick, he earned a two-year exemption for PGA Tour events, entry to every Signature Event in 2026, and entry to this year’s PGA Championship and next year’s Players Championship.
So after claiming victory in New Orleans, he canceled his flight to Turkey, where he was going to play the Turkish Airlines Open, and instead flew to Miami to play The Cadillac Championship at Doral to claim his share of the $20 million purse.
The Fitzpatricks’ win captured the imagination of the golfing world, and Alex revealed how he’s been treated by other PGA Tour players on his arrival at Doral.
Alex Fitzpatrick’s arrival at Doral was unexpected until his win last week, and he was greeted with open arms by players who were inspired by his performance at the Zurich.
When asked about the messages he received after his win before the Cadillac Championship, Fitzpatrick said, “Yeah, the support has been amazing. I’ve had more messages than I ever thought I would. They must think I’m a nice guy or something, because there’s a lot more than I thought I would ever get.
“But, yeah, there’s a bunch of players, even kind of on the range here, I’ve had so many players and people come up to me and congratulate me for not only last week but the week in India as well. So it’s, yeah, it’s been pretty surreal to kind of keep getting all these messages and, yeah, amazing.”
Fitzpatrick won the Hero Indian Open on the DP World Tour on one of the most difficult golf courses on the planet, so he’s ready to take on the Blue Monster at Doral in this wicked test of golf.
Suddenly, his schedule features some of the biggest events on some of the most iconic golf courses in America. But does he now plan to direct all of his attention to the PGA Tour, or is he staying loyal to his DP World Tour roots?
Fitzpatrick’s schedule has changed dramatically now he’s earned a PGA Tour card, but there are still some incredible events in countries all over the world on the DP World Tour.
With that in mind, the Englishman explained how he plans to balance his schedule between the two tours: “I was meant to be playing Turkey. I think it went Turkey, Barcelona, and then there was a week off for the PGA and then it was actually back in Europe. Which I love, I love being back in Europe. That side of the schedule is amazing.
“The first half of the year it can be really, really tough with all the travel to, I mean I did Australia, Kenya, India, I kind of travelled all over the world. I’m glad I didn’t have to, I’m glad I took the flight from New Orleans to Miami, which was like two hours. That made it a little easier.
“But, yeah, I sat down with my caddie on Monday morning, we had breakfast together, and we looked at some of the events and it was like, wow, this is crazy, this doesn’t feel real.
“And even walking on to the range yesterday morning was, yesterday afternoon, was like, it feels weird to be here. This is something I’m not used to. So, yeah, going to try and hopefully make it feel more like home and hopefully play some good golf.”
He was asked if he plans to keep playing on the DP World Tour, he said, “Yeah. You know, I’ll definitely play in the events that I can. I mean, the DP World Tour have been amazing to me since coming out of college they have helped me out a lot.
“They have given me some invites. They have looked after me like a family. So going back is important to me and playing in some events and making sure I do the right thing is, yeah, it’s important, and I’m excited to do that.”
Once the PGA Tour playoffs are done, many of the European players like Rory McIlroy turn their attention to the Race to Dubai for the back end of the DP World Tour season, so expect Fitzpatrick to do the same.
READ MORE: Kevin Kisner confirms if he was asked to be USA’s Ryder Cup captain before Jim Furyk