The other constant was his love for football. The conversation began with Fitzpatrick seeking contact details for tactical experts who appeared on the BBC Sports website.
“People are kidding, but I love soccer more than golf,” Fitzpatrick smiled. “I’m obsessed with football, and that’s great for me.
“I love supporting Sheffield United, and here they show me all the games I want to see.
Fitzpatrick visited Premier League side Brentford to gather insights in the face of Champions Liverpool’s performance team. His voice brightens as he remembers the chat that followed with the people he met.
He seemed to be sponge absorption information. “How they use data, how culture is important,” he said. “It’s just attractive.
“Maybe we find the little things we can incorporate into golf — it feels like we’ve taken a lot from it.”
But it’s not just golf. He argues there may be a day when he may switch sports.
“I don’t know when I’ll have time to do this, but I would like to work in football if there’s an opportunity in some way, shape or form,” Fitzpatrick said.
“It’s a very hopeful idea, but I think it’s very interesting to be involved. I love reading about it and reading everything about it.”
What’s even more approaching is the return of my golf career. As he tries to reach East Lake for the Tour Championship, he hopes to maintain his position with the European Ryder Cup team for next month’s trophy defense at Beth Page in New York.
“It’s good to play well during crunch time. The playoffs and the Ryder Cup,” Fitzpatrick said. “Being a part of it will again be very special.”
He played three Ryder Cups, but his record of winning only one victory in eight matches is unhappy and a poor reflection of the talent of someone who has won 10 tournaments in his professional career.
“Even despite my record, I still want to be part of it to give them an opportunity to improve,” he said.
If he sets up a Luke Donald team, Fitzpatrick brings a lot of perspective to European teams.
“In the last 15 months I’ve had an extra effort to be a little more tolerant of myself and really try to understand my psychology,” he admitted.
“My biggest thing I take away from the poor performance is catching things before. I can’t afford to reach that stage again.
“It was a tough time for me and the problem was long. You can’t afford to be behind the eight balls, you need to catch them as soon as possible and turn them as quickly as possible.”
You’ll be spoken like a golfer who might one day provide halftime team talk.
