BBC Sports Personality: Matt Fitzpatrick was only the second Englishman to win the U.S. Open since 1970, however, he was not included on the BBC’s list of contenders for Sports Personality of the Year.
And that has been disputed by many.
🙋🏻♂️ One question @BBCSport @BBCSPOTY
What about @MattFitz94 and his @usopengolf win this year?? https://t.co/tszrt0l5fB
— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) December 20, 2022
Try winning at least two majors next year, Matt Fitzpatrick. One just doesn’t cut it, I’m afraid. https://t.co/bC09M7LYT0
— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) December 20, 2022
Fitzpatrick, 28, was said to be declining an invitation to the award ceremony even if he was nominated, according to an article in The Telegraph published last month.
Nick Faldo, who won his first of three Masters titles in 1989, was the final player to receive the honour. Rose received a nomination after winning the 2013 U.S. Open, however, he came in ninth place among the other nominees. Six candidates are now up for the honour.
The nominees for this year’s award were distance runner Jake Wightman, footballer Beth Mead, curler Eve Muirhead, cricketer Ben Stokes, and gymnast Jessica Gadirova.
At the U.S. Open, which was held at The Country Club, the same venue where he won the 2013 U.S. Amateur, Fitzpatrick earned his first major event and PGA Tour victory. Fitzpatrick’s “squeezy fade” approach from 156 yards away in the bunker on the 72nd hole, which landed 18 feet from the pin, is possibly the shot of the year.
The 28-year-old also made his debut in the top 10 of the world rankings in 2022 and finished in the top 10 10 times on the PGA Tour, including a T-5 at the PGA Championship.
Ian Poulter expressed his disappointment with the award once more.
Sorry but complete disregard for @MattFitz94 makes this event a continued farce and joke. I experienced first hand how much of a joke this was 10 years ago. Promised myself then I’d never waste time attending or watching again. https://t.co/SlMDIMBflh
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 20, 2022
In spite of winning all four of his matches in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in 2012, Poulter was not included on the shortlist.
When Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton defeated Open and PGA Championship winner Rory McIlroy two years later, Poulter resorted to Twitter to express his disappointment. When Poulter asserted that McIlroy ought to have won, he faced criticism.
Fitzpatrick won’t be able to compete with Rory McIlroy for Sports Personality of the Year eight years from now because he wasn’t even nominated.
Fitzpatrick doesn’t appear to be upset about the rejection, though. He took to Twitter soon after the candidates were revealed to express his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of 2022.
For golf match today, latest golf news, golf club, golf championship, BBC Sports Personality, golf tournament, golf club update and other golf news follow livematchupdatesnews.com.
