By Gary Anderson

August 18 - Matt Fitzpatrick with the US Amateur Championship trophyMatt Fitzpatrick says he has entered "golfing heaven" following his historic win at the US Amateur Championship in Brookline, which sees the 18-year-old secure a place at next year's US Masters, US Open and Open Championships.

Fitzpatrick, from Sheffield, became the first Englishman to win the premier amateur competition in the United States since Harold Hilton won in 1911, some 102 years ago.

"As everyone says, Augusta is golfing heaven and to get in the other majors is unbelievable as well," said Fitzpatrick, whose victory in Massachusetts caps a fantastic year which saw him earn the silver medal for leading amateur at this year's Open at Muirfield.

"It's virtually impossible to get a game at Augusta.

"This was my best opportunity."

Fitzpatrick overcame Australian Oliver Goss, who also qualifies automatically for the 2014 US Open and is expected to receive an invitation for Augusta, in a 36 hole play-off with a four-and-three victory in the matchplay final.

Matt Fitzpatrick celebrates his UA Amateur Championship win with his family including brother and caddie Alex second rightMatt Fitzpatrick celebrates his US Amateur Championship win with his family including brother and caddie Alex (second right)

























The Englishman, who had his 14-year-old brother Alex as caddie, led by one stroke after the morning round but Goss pegged it back to all-square on the opening hole of the afternoon.

That seemed to shake Fitzpatrick into life, as he immediately hit back by winning the next two holes and the world number two never relinquished that lead as he played solidly around the Brookline course, which saw local amateur Francis Oiumet famously win the US Open in 1913.

"I can't really describe how I'm feeling at the minute," said Fitzpatrick who becomes the first player from the British Isles to lift the Havemeyer Trophy since Scotland's Richie Ramsay in 2006.

"That's sort of what everyone wants in golf, and I'm pretty sure Justin Rose said that after his US Open that it's nice to go down in the history books.

"I'd probably say this week what's come out most is that my short game has just been really, really top drawer.

"I'd say my weakest part of my game was into the greens."

Goss, 19, failed to capitalise on his positive second round start and did not register a single birdie after and was on six-over-par when the match ended on the 33rd hole.

Australian Matt Goss could not match the consistency of his opponent during the 36-hole play-offAustralian Oliver Goss could not match the consistency of his opponent during the 36-hole play-off
























"It just didn't quite work out," he said afterwards.

"I couldn't get any momentum going.

"It seemed like every time I got a hole back, he would just get one right back the next hole.

"I just didn't play solid enough for him.

"He was always just one in front of me.

"I seemed to be close but just not close enough."

Fitzpatrick, who is due to start a golf scholarship at Northwestern University in Chicago this year, will now be grouped with fellow Open Championship silver medal winner and current US Open champion Justin Rose as well as recently crowned Open champion Phil Mickelson at next year's US Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina.

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