Alex Fitzpatrick knows exactly what to do if he meets brother Matt Fitzpatrick in Open play-off

In the Fitzpatrick household, sharing really would be caring.

At least, according to Alex Fitzpatrick.

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Alex and brother Matt will both be in the field for this year’s Open, the final major on the annual golf calendar.

Matt, the elder sibling by five years, already has a major in his trophy cabinet having triumphed at the US Open in 2022.

The 31-year-old came close to adding the Open to his collection last year with a T4 finish, although he was six strokes behind tournament victor Scottie Scheffler.

As for Alex, this year’s Open marks just his second appearance in the tournament, with his first outing coming in 2023 where he finished T17.

Fitzpatrick v Fitzpatrick for all the marbles?

Although a highly unlikely scenario, there exists a chance, however slim, the brothers could end up in a playoff to win the Open.

So, what would happen if that bonkers situation transpired?

“I’ll probably give him a secret cheque under the table to let me win,” Alex joked during an appearance on talkSPORT Breakfast.

“I don’t know, it would be fun to be in that situation. It would be a bit weird, but a lot of fun.”

Although the Fitzpatrick brothers could be foes at Royal Birkdale, the pair have already tasted success as a pairing this year on the PGA Tour.

The English duo took out this year’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, winning by one stroke.

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Their victory meant they became the first set of brothers to win a PGA Tour event together.

Not only that, their score of -31 set the record for the lowest total at the Zurich Classic since it transitioned to a pairs event in 2017.

The win at TPC Louisiana banked each brother a cool £1million in prize money and for Alex, a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour through to 2028.

Sibling rivalry to sibling bonding at the Ryder Cup

Having also won his first DP World Tour title earlier this year, Alex’s career has enjoyed a sharp upward trajectory.

And thanks to his form, a spot on Europe’s Ryder Cup team next year does not seem an unattainable target.

Should that transpire, Alex looks certain to call his brother a teammate given Matt has been on Europe’s team for the last four editions of the event.

When asked if that is something he is targeting, Fitzpatrick replied: “100 per cent. It’s a goal that feels a lot closer than it was last year.

“I would love nothing more than to be on that team. I think it would be super cool, especially in front of a home crowd. I’d love to take on the Americans.”