Fitzpatrick secures major glory in US Open thriller

Matt Fitzpatrick came through a final-round tussle with Will Zalatoris and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler to secure a maiden major title with a thrilling victory at the US Open.

Fitzpatrick mixed five birdies with three bogeys during an enthralling final day at The Country Club, with a two-under 68 enough to finish on six under and celebrate a first success on American soil as a professional

The 27-year-old birdied two of his last five holes to finish a shot clear of playing partner Zalatoris and Scheffler, who fell just short in his bid for a second major and fifth PGA Tour title of the year, with Hideki Matsuyama finished three strokes off the pace in fourth.

Victory sees Fitzpatrick become just the fourth English player in the last century to win the US Open, with the victory coming at the same venue where he won the US Amateur in 2013.

Scheffler started the day two off the pace but quickly joined the leaders when he birdied the first and added another from 15 feet at the par-three next, as Zalatoris scrambled an opening par but bogeyed his next two holes.

A 25-foot birdie at the fourth from Scheffler was matched when Fitzpatrick holed from eight feet at the third, pulling the pair clear of the chasing pack, only for the American to post a fourth birdie of the day at the sixth to move to six under.

Fitzpatrick made a two-putt birdie at the driveable fifth to briefly reclaim a share of the lead but then three-putted the seventh, as Scheffler saw his ball roll back to his feet before holing a clutch par-save at the par-five eighth.

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