When Matthew Fitzpatrick walked off the 18th green at The Players Championship in March 2025 after back-to-back 78 and 72 rounds, he didn’t just miss the cut—he walked away from the only team he’d ever known. By August 5, 2025, the 2022 US Open champion had severed ties with both his longtime coach, Mike Walker, and his caddie of six years, Billy Foster, two men who had shaped his game since he was a teenager. The decision wasn’t made lightly. It was born from frustration, silence, and the quiet realization that if he wanted to make his fourth Ryder CupBethpage Black appearance, he’d have to rebuild everything.
Breaking the Longest Relationships in Golf
Fitzpatrick’s bond with Mike Walker stretched back to when he was 14 or 15—a relationship more personal than professional. "He’s someone I’ve looked up to since I was 14 or 15," Fitzpatrick told BBC Sport’s Iain Carter. "I could tell him anything. My respect for him is so high." But respect doesn’t win tournaments. And after years of steady progress, Fitzpatrick’s game stalled in 2025. His best finish on the PGA Tour that year? A tie for 22nd. Six starts. No top-10s. No momentum. The pressure mounted. The silence grew. "I wasn’t playing well," he admitted. "And things probably needed to change." Meanwhile, Billy Foster, a veteran who’d caddied for legends like Seve Ballesteros and Lee Westwood, posted a quiet farewell on social media: "Well, after six great years, all good things come to an end." He didn’t blame Fitzpatrick. He didn’t rant. He simply noted: "It’s the caddie or the coach who has to accept results are not good enough." Foster’s words carried weight—not just because of his resume, but because of his restraint. This wasn’t a firestorm. It was a slow fade.A Turnaround in the Midst of Turmoil
The split wasn’t the end—it was the reset. Within weeks, Fitzpatrick began working with Mark Blackburn, a coach known for his calm demeanor and technical precision. The results didn’t come overnight, but by late May, something shifted. He finished T7 at the PGA Championship. Then T9 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. T6 at the Scottish Open. T5 at The Open Championship. And T8 at the Wyndham Championship. Five straight top-10s. A 180-degree turn from the chaos of March. "It’s like I finally stopped trying to fix everything at once," Fitzpatrick told GolfMagic’s Ben Smith in August. "I stopped listening to every voice. I just focused on one thing: my swing path. And suddenly, the ball started doing what I wanted it to." The timing couldn’t be more critical. As of August 5, 2025, Fitzpatrick sat 12th in the European Ryder Cup standings—behind Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose, and nine others. Only three events remained before captain Luke Donald named his final three picks on September 22. The European team would be finalized just days before the Ryder CupBethpage Black teed off.
Why This Split Matters Beyond One Golfer
Professional golf thrives on stability. Caddie-player relationships often outlast marriages. Coach-athlete bonds span decades. Fitzpatrick’s decision to walk away from both at once is rare. It speaks to the psychological toll of elite sport. He didn’t fire them because they were bad. He fired them because he needed to be better—and he couldn’t be himself around them anymore. "It’s not about blame," said former Ryder Cup player and analyst Paul McGinley. "It’s about identity. When a player feels stuck, the people around them become part of that stagnation—even if they’ve done everything right. Sometimes, the bravest move is to let go." Foster’s departure was especially symbolic. He’d been with Fitzpatrick through his 2023 RBC Heritage win and his DP World Tour Championship title. Their partnership was the bedrock. Now, it was rubble. And yet, Foster’s post didn’t contain bitterness. Just gratitude. "Who knows where the next chapter will go?" he wrote. "Onwards and upwards."
The Clock Is Ticking
Fitzpatrick’s resurgence has given him hope—but not security. He’s climbed from 24th to 12th in the standings since May. But the gap between 12th and the final automatic spot is wide. He needs to finish in the top three of one of the next three events—or hope Donald sees something in him that the rankings don’t show. The Ryder Cup isn’t just about stats. It’s about chemistry, leadership, clutch performance. Fitzpatrick has proven he can handle pressure—he won the US Open, after all. But can he do it again under the weight of expectation, with a new team, and a fading window? "He’s got the game," said one European team insider who spoke anonymously. "But now he’s got to prove he’s got the peace."Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Matthew Fitzpatrick split with Billy Foster and Mike Walker at the same time?
Fitzpatrick’s performance had plateaued in 2025, with no top-10 finishes in his first six PGA Tour events. After years of stability, he felt emotionally and technically stuck. The decision wasn’t impulsive—it came after months of reflection. He believed he needed a fresh perspective to break through, and working with new coach Mark Blackburn helped him regain form with five consecutive top-10 finishes.
How does this affect Fitzpatrick’s chances of making the 2025 Ryder Cup team?
As of August 5, 2025, Fitzpatrick ranked 12th in European Ryder Cup standings, just outside the top nine automatic qualifiers. With only three events left before September 22’s captain’s pick deadline, he’s now in a race against players like Rasmus Højgaard and Shane Lowry. His recent form gives him momentum, but he’ll likely need a captain’s pick from Luke Donald to secure his fourth Ryder Cup appearance.
What’s the significance of Billy Foster’s background in professional golf?
Billy Foster is one of the most respected caddies in golf history, having worked with legends like Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood, and Darren Clarke. His partnership with Fitzpatrick since 2019 was among the most stable in the sport, producing two major wins. His quiet departure signaled that the split was driven by performance, not conflict—a rare sign of professionalism in elite golf.
Who is Mark Blackburn, and why was he chosen as Fitzpatrick’s new coach?
Mark Blackburn is a low-key but highly effective coach known for his focus on swing mechanics and mental clarity. He’s worked with several European Tour players and was recommended by former players who admired his ability to simplify complex technical issues. Fitzpatrick chose him specifically to reduce overthinking and rebuild his fundamentals—a strategy that paid off with five straight top-10 finishes.
When is the final Ryder Cup team announced, and what are Fitzpatrick’s odds?
Captain Luke Donald will name his three captain’s picks on September 22, 2025, three days before the Ryder CupBethpage Black begins. Fitzpatrick’s odds are improving—his recent form makes him a strong candidate—but he’s still behind players like Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland. He needs one more standout performance to sway Donald.
Has any other top golfer made a similar split mid-season before?
Yes. Rory McIlroy parted ways with caddie J.P. Fitzgerald in 2017 mid-season and went on to win the Tour Championship. Justin Rose split with coach Sean Foley in 2011 and later won the U.S. Open. These aren’t common, but they’re not unprecedented. The key is timing: Fitzpatrick’s turnaround suggests he made the change just before his window closed, not too late.