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Paolo UggettiESPN
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Reigning U.S. Open champion Matt FitzpatrickWednesdays statement from the golfer said that he is currently recovering from a neck injury and cannot play in three consecutive PGA Tour events. He will be competing in this weeks Pebble beach Pro-Am.
I hurt my neck last Saturday. Fitzpatrick stated that it is still not 100%. I can still play but I dont have full speed or anything similar.
Fitzpatrick said that he will be attending the Waste Management Open in Phoenix, and the Genesis Invitational held at Riviera Country Club, and that he will be using this week’s event at Pebble Beach to warm-up to see how his game is.
Fitzpatrick, 28, stated that he has had the neck injury on and off over the years. He described the injury as a stiffness on the right side. But I dont know how I did it. Just getting through the ball is a little more difficult than usual.
Fitzpatrick rose in the ranks and won last years U.S. Open. This was partly due to Fitzpatricks well-planned and concerted effort at increasing speed. The 28-year-old was in the top 10 for strokes gained off a tee last season.
Fitzpatricks status as one the top-20 players in Player Impact Program (PIP) means that he is required to participate in all 17 tour events except one. These events include the four majors, which have augmented prize pools of approximately $20 million.
Fitzpatrick stated, I think that the biggest thing that has come up a lot with players is that we kind of want less. I think there is too much golf, regardless what level you are at. Its absurd to have 53 tournaments in a 52 year cycle. Its just too much golf.
I think people need a break from it. They could watch the game every week from January through December. Thats why I believe that having less but getting the best players together is the way to go.
LIV Golf poaching players from PGA Tour has resulted in the addition of designated events to the tours schedule. The strategic alliance , which was strengthened last season between the PGA Tour & the DP World Tour, has resulted in the co-sanctioning of a few European events and 10 tour cards each season for the top DP World Tour golfers.
Fitzgerald acknowledged that the DP World Tour was a feeder tour for PGA for the past decade, given the influx in money that it has received. He stated that more must be done to justify the alliance. Fitzpatrick stated Wednesday that he would like to see more events designated outside the United States.
Fitzpatrick stated that he believes the strategic alliance was good. But at the exact same time, I feel that there needs to be a bit more done by the PGA Tour to Europe. Its probably a bit one-sided. We like to say that we are growing the game. I think it would be great to actually take events over there instead of being like, Oh well, the European Tour does this so we don’t have to bother.