Pressure On 'Tiger-like' Scottie Scheffler, Claims Matt Fitzpatrick Before The Open's Final Rounds

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Matt Fitzpatrick is set to play alongside Scottie Scheffler in the final group at The Open on Saturday. He believes the pressure is on Scheffler, the world number one. Fitzpatrick, aiming for his second major win, shot a remarkable 66 in the second round, putting him at nine under par. However, he trails Scheffler by one stroke after Scheffler's impressive 64.

Scheffler has been in outstanding form, finishing in the top 10 of his last 10 tournaments and securing three victories, including a major win at the PGA Championship. Fitzpatrick likened Scheffler's dominance to that of Tiger Woods when he was at his peak. To become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 1992 to win The Open, Fitzpatrick knows he must perform exceptionally well to outplay Scheffler.

Fitzpatrick has previously bested Scheffler at a major event, winning the US Open in 2022. Recently, Fitzpatrick has shown a resurgence in form. After missing the cut at the Players Championship with rounds of 78 and 72, which he described as his career low point, he has improved significantly. He finished fourth at the Scottish Open last week.

In his tenth appearance at The Open, Fitzpatrick expressed his satisfaction with being back near the top of the leaderboard as the tournament progresses. "I've given myself an opportunity," Fitzpatrick stated. "There's nothing better than being in contention. It feels uncomfortable but means you're doing something right."

Fitzpatrick acknowledged that Scottie Scheffler is expected to dominate due to his exceptional skills and current ranking as world number one. "Scottie is going to have the expectation to go out and dominate," Fitzpatrick remarked. "He's an exceptional player... I think the pressure is for him."

Despite facing challenges earlier this year, Fitzpatrick now finds himself in a promising position heading into The Open's final stages. His recent performances indicate a return to form and provide him with confidence as he competes against top players like Scheffler.