MATTHEW FITZPATRICK believes he is running into form at just the right time for his bid to give England back-to-back Masters champions.
Fitzpatrick, 22, consolidated his place among the leaders at the Arnold Palmer Invitational adding a three under par 68 to his first round 67, and is sweet on his chances of landing a first PGA Tour victory.
And he is convinced his game is heading in the right direction as he builds up for Augusta, where he finished seventh last year behind fellow Englishman Danny Willett.
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Fitzpatrick bounced back from a missed cut at the Honda Classic by finishing strongly for a share of 16th place at last week’s Mexico World Golf Championship event.
And he said his efforts so far at Bay Hill have sent his confidence soaring.
He commented: “It’s always difficult, but we all try to peak for the first week in April at Augusta, and I certainly seem to be trending in the right direction at the moment.
“Ever part of my game seems to be coming together nicely. It was good to throw in one of the few bogey-free rounds on day one, and I kept it going well in tough conditions this time.
“This course is pretty tight off the tee so you are going to find yourself out of position now and then. But my attitude when that has happened has been very good.
“I made a great save on the eighth by nearly holing a full wedge shot after hacking out of the trees. After staring at a bogey I almost made birdie there, but I couldn’t complain with a tap-in par.
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“And I made a couple of good putts to birdie 16 and 17, which was great to keep the momentum going.
“I’m keen to play more in America although Europe will remain my top priority, and a first win over here would obviously open a lot of doors.
“With the Masters only three weeks away I’m especially pleased with the way I’m putting. I’ve holed quite a few from around 15 feet, and you always know you are going to force plenty of those at Augusta.”
World No 3 Rory McIlroy could do with a confidence boost as he continued to struggle at Bay Hill, despite a three-shot improvement on his on his opening 74.
Even though one under par 71 meant McIlroy comfortably made the cut, it still seems to be a case of one step forward two steps back for the four-time Major champion.
That was illustrated when he drained thirty footer for an eagle at the long 16th by dumping his tee shot nito the water at the par three 17th to run up his second double bogey so far.
There have also been six bogeys as well as seen birdies, and McIlroy desperately needs to find some consistency after his fractured rib played havoc with his Masters preparations.
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