Matt Fitzpatrick has been one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour this season, with three wins already under his belt. That's why he was expected to be a top contender heading into this week's PGA Championship at Aronimink.
But the timing couldn't be worse for the Englishman. Fitzpatrick struggled mightily at last week's Truist Championship, finishing in a tie for 52nd. His game looked uncharacteristically sloppy, and with a major championship looming, there's reason for concern.
The 32-year-old has built a reputation as one of the most clutch performers on tour this year. When he's in the mix, he doesn't shy away from the pressure. But actually getting into contention at Aronimink might be a tough ask this week.
Fitzpatrick's poor showing at Quail Hollow came as a shock after his stellar 2026 campaign. But it turns out there was a very good reason for his struggles in Charlotte.
After his final round, Fitzpatrick opened up about a critical equipment issue. "My driver cracked on Wednesday before the pro-am," he revealed. "Didn't have time to really do any testing or anything. Put one in, not a hundred percent comfortable with it, so kind of struggled with that a little bit this week."
At the highest level of golf, a driver change can be a massive disruption. Just ask Rory McIlroy, who was forced into a similar switch ahead of the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow when his driver was deemed non-conforming.
Fitzpatrick acknowledged his struggles across the board: "Didn't feel like I hit my irons as close as I could have. I chipped it okay. Didn't hole a putt. So probably explains why I'm almost last."
On the bright side, Fitzpatrick has never played Aronimink before, which could be a blessing in disguise. "Looking forward to next week. Never played it. Heard some good things. So that's always nice before you head to a tournament," he said.
For a player who thrives on precision and confidence, getting comfortable with a new driver in just a few days will be the biggest challenge. If Fitzpatrick can adjust quickly, he still has the game to contend at the PGA Championship. But this is far from the ideal preparation for a major.