Alex Fitzpatrick is making the most of his PGA Tour opportunity, and he’s doing it in style. The 27-year-old Englishman fired a blistering seven-under-par 64 on Saturday to grab a one-shot lead at the Truist Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Playing at the prestigious Quail Hollow Club, Fitzpatrick put on a clinic with eight birdies and just one bogey, finishing the third round at 14-under. That puts him one clear of fellow rookie Kristoffer Reitan of Norway, who also carded a 64. For Fitzpatrick, this is only his third start on the PGA Tour—and he’s making every moment count.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the Sheffield native. Just a fortnight ago, he teamed up with his older brother Matt to win the Zurich Classic pairs tournament, securing his PGA Tour card in the process. Last week, he backed that up with a top-10 finish at the Cadillac Championship in Florida. Now, he’s on the verge of something even bigger: his first solo PGA Tour title.
“It will be super cool,” Fitzpatrick said, his excitement palpable. “I get goosebumps thinking about it. It would be amazing to do it by myself. The first two weeks have been OK, so I’m pretty pleased. I’m just trying to enjoy every moment. This is all new for me.”
Fitzpatrick’s round was powered by an electrifying front-nine performance, where he carded five birdies to reach 12-under and build a two-shot lead at the turn. He kept the momentum rolling with a birdie on the 12th and narrowly missed an 11-foot birdie putt on the 14th that lipped out. At the 15th, he just missed an eagle putt but tapped in for birdie to stay in control.
A slight hiccup came on the 16th, where a bunkered second shot led to a bogey. But Fitzpatrick responded like a pro, bouncing back with a birdie on the 17th to edge clear of Reitan once again.
Sunday’s final round promises plenty of drama. While Fitzpatrick holds the lead, in-form Cameron Young made a statement with a sensational eight-under 63—though a bogey on the 18th kept him from going even lower. With a crowded leaderboard full of contenders, Fitzpatrick will need to bring his A-game to close out what would be a storybook victory.
For fans of the game, this is a masterclass in composure and resilience. And for anyone looking to channel that same confidence on the course, it’s a reminder that the right gear—and the right mindset—can make all the difference.