‘Top of the list’: Fitzpatrick brothers want to play the Ryder Cup together

Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick have identified their top goal for 2027: making Europe’s Ryder Cup team together and being paired alongside each other at Adare Manor.

As reported by GOLF.com’s Kevin Cunningham, European captain Luke Donald invited 15 prospective players on a scouting trip to Adare Manor last month. The Irish resort will host the 2027 Ryder Cup, and both Fitzpatrick brothers were among the invitees.

Matt is already a household name to golf fans. He won the 2022 U.S. Open and climbed back up the world ranking this season with three PGA Tour victories. One of those wins, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, came alongside Alex. The victory immediately earned Alex PGA Tour membership, and the younger Fitzpatrick made the most of the opportunity, adding five more top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place finish at the Tour Championship.

Qualifying for the Tour Championship secured Alex a place in all four majors in 2027. He would undoubtedly like to join Matt as a major champion — especially at the 2027 Open at St Andrews — but on Wednesday at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the brothers made clear that they have an even bigger goal.

“That’s probably the one thing next year I want to do more than anything. I think having that experience makes you hungry to be on that team. That’s the goal, just keep doing the same things I’ve been doing and hopefully that leads to being at Adare,” Alex said of the scouting trip.

Alex, 27, has been a professional for several years but has never made a European Ryder Cup team. Matt, by contrast, has been part of four of Europe’s last five teams, dating back to 2016.

“Couldn’t get much better. I feel like I’m looking to achieve a lot in the game, and I think that would be as good as it gets. Winning a PGA Tour event together is pretty high on the list, but to be able to play in the Ryder Cup and have a chance at winning it together would be pretty incredible,” Matt said.

While few professional golfers would rank a Ryder Cup victory above winning a major championship, Matt made clear that winning the Ryder Cup with Alex would be more desirable to him than winning another major. Alex quickly agreed.

“I haven’t been fortunate enough to win a major yet, so I don’t know how that feels, but it’s at the top of the list. Make a decent case for ourselves — yeah, it’s definitely top of the list,” Alex said.

With 12 months remaining before the 2027 Ryder Cup, a lot still has to go right for both brothers to reach Adare Manor. Matt is already virtually assured of a place, provided he stays healthy. He is currently fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking, higher than any European player other than Rory McIlroy, and first in the official European Ryder Cup standings. The top six players in those standings qualify automatically.

Alex’s position is less secure. He is currently 57th in the world ranking and 31st in the European standings. He will need a very strong season to move into the top six, although a full PGA Tour season will give him plenty of opportunities to earn valuable points.

Alex does not necessarily need to reach the top six. Given his natural chemistry with Matt, he could be an obvious captain’s pick for Europe. Donald’s invitation to the Adare Manor scouting trip is certainly a positive sign, but Alex will still need to maintain his current form over the coming months to convince the captain to select him.