BROOKLINE, Mass. – It’s not surprising that Matt Fitzpatrick is headed to Northwestern. After all, he values a strong education, and the Wildcats’ coach, Pat Goss, is one of the best in the country.
No, it’s that former Northwestern star (and fellow Englishman) Luke Donald had nothing to do with Fitzpatrick’s decision.
The 18-year-old said Thursday that he couldn’t get Donald’s phone number through Goss, per NCAA rules, and “I already knew what I’d hear, that it’s the best place ever and you should come.”
Fitzpatrick, who was the low amateur at this year’s British Open, was recruited by several schools in the States but appeared on Northwestern’s radar last July. For some reason, after he won the British Boys in a romp, he heard from only Northwestern and Florida State.
“I wanted to get an education and golf,” Fitzpatrick said of his decision, “and I couldn’t do that in the UK. I needed something to fall back on if golf doesn’t work out.”
