Matt Fitzpatrick ‘shocked’ by the course conditions at Quail Hollow ahead of the Truist Championship

*“*I think with the weather we had last year for the PGA the greens were a little bit softer, the rough was a little bit higher.

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*“*This week it’s actually the opposite. The greens seem to be very, very firm and the rough’s a little shorter, which is nice.

“Yeah, I’m really kind of shocked at how firm the greens are right now and that’s definitely going to make it a great test.“

Firm and fast conditions should suit Fitzpatrick’s game perfectly, given his exceptional driving and approach play in recent weeks.

Matt Fitzpatrick comments on Quail Hollow as a golf course

Fitzpatrick was asked whether he believes his game is suited to the layout at Quail Hollow.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t really feel like I know this golf course that well,“ he said.

*“*I mean, I played the PGA in 2017, like a complete blur from what the course is now to then. Like I really don’t remember much at all. I just remember it being very wet that week.

*“*Then the PGA last year, and I played in what was previously obviously the Wells Fargo here, so these last two times really are the only times that I’m like, okay, it feels fresh and I kind of know my way around really.

*“*I think there’s a few holes obviously that you kind of have breather holes I feel. Nine is a tough hole, but it’s fairly generous off the tee. Eight is obviously fairly generous as well. 10 is a par-5. 11 is not too bad.

*“*I feel around there you kind of have a little break in that you’re not worried about a hazard or anything like that. Obviously coming down the stretch there, 14 is a drivable par-four, and there’s water left. So you feel like you got to hit a good shot there and you definitely feel like you have to pick one up.

*“*15, the par-5 is obviously the same. Then you’re coming into the stretch down the last few. At the PGA I was in contention chipping in on 14 and you kind of are looking at the home stretch and you go, okay, if I can play these next four in somehow get in the house at 2-under, 3-under from there, then you never know where you end up.

“Instead I decided to play it in 3-over, so, yeah, it’s definitely a tough finish.“