US Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick Snubbed By BBC Sports Personality Of The Year
The US Open champion missed out on the six-person BBC SPOTY shortlist


Matt Fitzpatrick has been left out of this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year nominees despite capturing his maiden Major title at the US Open.
The Englishman defeated Will Zalatoris by a single stroke at the Country Club of Brookline, the same venue as his US Amateur Championship triumph in 2013, to become just the second English US Open winner since 1970.
His US Open win also featured what was arguably the greatest shot of the year, when he found the green on the 72nd hole from a tricky lie in a fairway bunker.
Shot of the year? @MattFitz94 pic.twitter.com/Q4A82DnOIIDecember 15, 2022
Fitzpatrick entered the world's top 10 for the first time in 2022 in a year where he also recorded two runners-up finishes and a T5 at the PGA Championship.
It was recently revealed that the 28-year-old “politely declined” an invitation to the awards, which do not historically favour golfers. The last golfer to win the award was Nick Faldo in 1989 after becoming the first Englishman to win The Masters.
The last golfer to finish in the top three was Rory McIlroy in 2014, who finished second after winning two Majors, The Open and PGA Championship, as well as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and BMW PGA Championship. He was also a part of Europe's winning Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles.
"Try winning at least two majors next year, Matt Fitzpatrick. One just doesn’t cut it, I’m afraid," Sky Sports' Jamie Weir joked on Twitter, with a number of users critical of the BBC's perceived bias against the game of golf.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"Just ridiculous. He won the bloody @usopengolf and isn’t even nominated You couldn’t make it up. How much more credibility do want to lose? @BBCSPOTY," one user replied.
"What has happened here? Does anyone who understands sport actually work for the BBC - Matt Fitzpatrick winning the US Open was the stand-out achievement of the year," another said.
The BBC has relinquished all live golf over recent years, with its golf coverage now including highlights of some of the biggest tournaments including The Masters, The Open, AIG Women's Open and BMW PGA Championship.
This year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award nominees are gymnast Jessica Gadirova, footballer Beth Mead, curling's Eve Muirhead, cricketer Ben Stokes, snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan and athlete Jake Wightman.
Looking for the perfect gift for the festive season? Check out the best Christmas Golf Gift Ideas
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
Tony Finau Misses 3-Inch Putt In Costly Houston Open Gaffe
The six-time PGA Tour winner had a nightmare moment on the 15th during the third round at Memorial Park Golf Course
By Mike Hall Published
-
T-Mobile Match Play Prize Money Payout 2025
Nelly Korda defends her title as a field of 64 competes for an eye-catching purse at Nevada’s Shadow Creek Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
‘You Don’t Want 10-Year-Old Kids Punting Their Putters Across The Green Every Time They Miss A Putt’ - Rory McIlroy Says Tour Pros Have ‘Responsibility’ To Set Good Example After Recent Viral Clips Showcasing Players’ Frustrations
Speaking at the Texas Children's Houston Open, McIlroy explained how displaying emotion on the course shows the pros 'are human', but there's also a 'responsibility to set an example'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'The Loss Of A Few Trees Is Definitely Noticeable' - Rory McIlroy On What He Learned From Augusta National Practice Round Ahead Of 2025 Masters
The four-time Major winner made a trip to Augusta National earlier this week in preparation for The Masters
By Elliott Heath Published
-
‘Give The Lad A Break. He’s A Very Good Caddie. Harry, Don’t Read The S****’ - Billy Foster On Critics Of Rory McIlroy’s Caddie
The experienced looper has spoken out and defended McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, with Foster claiming the 'criticism is not fair at all'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy’s Caddie Harry Diamond May Have Earned Almost $900,000 In Bonus Money Already This Year (More Than The PGA Tour Average) After World No.2's Strong Start
McIlroy has picked up two wins so far in 2025 and could well have shared a decent portion of his winnings with long-time assistant, Diamond
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Can't See Why Anybody Wouldn't Want To Do This' - Padraig Harrington Outlines Reasons Rory McIlroy Will 'Likely' Change His Damning Verdict On Playing Senior Golf
After Rory McIlroy recently said he would never play senior tour golf, Padraig Harrington explained why he thinks the World No.2 could well change his mind
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Impressive Players Championship TV Ratings Show Rory McIlroy Is Golf's Needle Mover
McIlroy's victory at The Players Championship drew an increase in viewership over 2024, with his recent victories on the PGA Tour showing that he could well be the new needle mover
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy Adds New Event To Pre-Masters Schedule
McIlroy will make his debut in the Houston Open next week, the World No.2 has confirmed
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber Ride
The four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
By Matt Cradock Published