BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter has named the English golfer he has backed to win the US Open at Pinehurst in June.
It was largely the Americans who dominated the major championship scene in 2023. After Spaniard Jon Rahm won the Masters, Brooks Koepka, Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman all got their hands on the biggest prizes, with Koepka clinching his fifth major title.
But perhaps 2024 will be the year of the Europeans.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Iain Carter picked out the players he believes will win the major championships this season. And he backed Matthew Fitzpatrick to win his second US Open title when the tournament heads to North Carolina midway through the year.
Matthew Fitzpatrick tipped to win second US Open title
Of course, Fitzpatrick lifted the title when the competition was held at Brookline two years ago. Few will ever forget that shot out of the bunker on the 18th hole which helped see off the challenge of Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler.
And actually, the US Open has been a happy hunting ground for the Europeans over the last 13 years. Fitzpatrick became the sixth European to win the tournament over that time, with Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer and Jon Rahm all lifting the trophy beforehand.
Englishman has found another level to his game
Fitzpatrick has definitely taken his game to another level since the start of the 2021 season. The 29-year-old has missed just one cut in his last 12 major championship appearances. And he has registered three top 10 finishes in that spell.
He now has the confidence to win the biggest prizes, also playing such an impressive role in the 2023 Ryder Cup win.
So he will definitely have his sights on adding a second major title this year.
Certainly, it would be no surprise at all if many were in agreement with Carter that Fitzpatrick is in with a brilliant chance of becoming a two-time major champion in 2024.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
