No Englishman has won The Open in England since 1969. Matt Fitzpatrick arrived at Royal Birkdale on Monday, July 13, with one eye on that drought, and the other firmly on a World Cup semi-final. He made a public plea to the R&A over tee times, and the draw only half-answered it.

Speaking to reporters at Royal Birkdale on Monday ahead of The Open Championship, the 31-year-old Englishman made a public plea to the R&A over tee times.

"If anyone's listening, I really hope it's a late/early. It would be nice if all the English lads were late/early. That would be great," Fitzpatrick said at his Royal Birkdale press conference on Monday, as reported by HITC.

Fitzpatrick, the highest-ranked English player in the field at world No. 3, spoke to the media saying he was looking forward to England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday. Fitzpatrick admitted that the soccer match was one of his biggest priorities before The Open began.

Half the wish came true. Tournament officials placed Fitzpatrick in the afternoon group for Thursday, July 16th, first round, teeing off at 3:15 pm. He will play alongside Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele.

That gives him a clear morning to follow the match. The England vs. Argentina game kicks off at 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday. It could run late if it goes to extra time and penalties.

The other English players weren't so fortunate. Each of the first eight groups to go out in Thursday's first round will contain an Englishman. Meaning most of his countrymen face an early alarm regardless of how long the semi-final runs.

The timing matters more than it might seem. Fitzpatrick is a confessed soccer fan and a supporter of English Championship club Sheffield United. England vs. Argentina carries its own weight as one of international sport's most loaded rivalries. Now playing out in a World Cup semi-final on the eve of the final major of the year.

He addressed the fatigue factor, too, after a draining week at the Genesis Scottish Open, where he finished tied for second.

"Obviously, a long day yesterday. My plan was anyway to have a light Monday," he said at the Royal Birkdale press conference. "I've done a bit of putting and hitting already today and kind of just do some recovery after this and take it easy."

Sleep had been on his mind coming off the foggy, weather-disrupted final rounds in Scotland.

Matt Fitzpatrick and his open preparation in context

Fitzpatrick arrives at Royal Birkdale in the best form of his career.

Since finishing fourth at The Renaissance Club last year, he has won three times on the PGA Tour. The golfer recorded two runner-up finishes and added seven further top-10s. His world ranking has climbed from 22nd to third.

He won his only major at The Country Club in 2022, edging Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris by one shot at the U.S. Open. The Open at Birkdale represents his best chance yet to add a second.

No Englishman has won The Open in England since Tony Jacklin in 1969. England hasn't won the World Cup since 1966.

For Fitzpatrick, Thursday carries the weight of both.

England vs Argentina on Wednesday. The Open on Thursday. Can Matt Fitzpatrick handle both in one week? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar