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MASTER STROKE
I’m a Major-winning golf star but I’ve employed a coach from a totally DIFFERENT sport in my bid for Masters victory
The coach also explained the similarities between the two sports
MATT FITZPATRICK has all the bases covered at Augusta this week — after hiring a top baseball coach.
England’s most recent Major winner was so impressed with Andrew Lysy’s methods when they met six months ago that he immediately added him to his backroom team.
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Lysy now accompanies Fitzpatrick to every tournament. He hopes that will help him hit a second home run at the Masters, to rank alongside his 2022 US Open victory.
The Sheffield slugger said: “It started when I was telling a few guys I’d bought a place in Florida to use as a base for my PGA Tour schedule.
“One of them said my house was right across the road from the Cressey Sports Performance headquarters, and that I should check them out. I took his advice, and I was just blown away by what Andrew did for me.
“I was struggling with a neck problem for most of last year — nothing career-threatening, but troublesome enough to cost me the odd shot here and there, which can make all the difference at this level.
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“I’ve never felt better. My neck is a million times better than last year, and it just makes such a difference to how I can practice, how hard I can swing, the stuff I can do in the gym.
“Just everything about it has made such a difference compared to last year. Andrew has more idea than me about the similarities in the muscles we use, but it’s something we’ve remarked on.”
Lysy is a highly qualified strength and conditioning coach, who has worked with some of the best baseball players in the States.
He said: “You’d be surprised at how many similarities there are in the swing of a baseball batter and a golfer. It’s all about good rotation and strengthening the muscles that take most of the strain.
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“It's not that unusual for hitters to get neck problems — usually from ducking out of the way at fast balls directed at the body!
“But I’ve seen a big difference in Matt’s mobility and his freedom to launch himself into the moment of impact. It’s been a bit of an eye-opener for me too after working mostly in baseball so far, and I’m loving the change of scene.”
Compilation of professional golfer Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick, 29, cannot wait to be back to Augusta this week, adding: “It has never lost the wow factor that it had for me as a 19-year-old kid.
“Maybe that’s why my results haven’t been as good as I feel they should have been. I finished top ten in my first start as a pro and it was all pretty average until I made the top ten again last year.
“That has fueled my optimism, especially now I feel so much better physically. I’m hoping for a big week.”
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