Fitzpatrick showing no fear

US Amateur champion Matthew Fitzpatrick leaves innocent ways behind him today as he starts life in the professional ranks at Fota Island Resort.

The Englishman, fresh from emulating the legendary Bobby Jones by adding the low amateur title at the US Open to his similar status earned at The Open last summer, must transition very quickly from being the wide-eyed teenager paired with Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose at Pinehurst No.2 a week ago to the sink or swim waters of life on the European Tour.

The Irish Open represents the first of six invitations to Tour events he hopes will earn him enough money to secure his card and playing rights for next season, having walked away from a golf scholarship at Northwestern University in Chicago to pursue a professional career.