Patrick Fishburn Aims for Success at PGA Championship

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Patrick Fishburn is preparing for his first major golf championship at the 107th PGA Championship this week after a tough outing at the Myrtle Beach Classic. Despite missing the cut last week, Fishburn sees the opportunity ahead as a silver lining.

Following rounds of 73-74 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in South Carolina, Fishburn, 32, and his caddy, Alex “Big Al” Riddell, traveled three hours to Quail Hollow Golf Club, where the championship kicks off Thursday. The Ogden native is grateful to be in the tournament after receiving a spot when Billy Horschel withdrew due to hip surgery.

“This is a dream come true,” said Fishburn, who gained recognition as a standout golfer from Fremont High and BYU. As he faces a course he was unfamiliar with until his practice round Sunday, he acknowledges the challenges of a layout described as one of the best.

“It’s not a golf course you would want to play blindly,” he explained. Weather on Monday was uncooperative, preventing him from familiarizing himself with the greens.

Fishburn, currently ranked 71st on the PGA Championship Points List, is determined to perform well despite his inexperience in major tournaments. He noted, “I am more caught up in the process of things than the results,” aiming for a solid showing rather than fixating on a specific finish.

The 7,626-yard course at Quail Hollow presents an exciting challenge for Fishburn, who compared it to the prestigious Augusta National. He commented, “It is an unbelievable venue… It is massive.” His past successes include winning the Utah State Amateur in 2016 before turning professional in 2018.

Fishburn has had some notable finishes this season, including a sixth-place tie at the Sony Open and a fifth-place finish at the Valero Texas Open. He admitted to struggling with his putting lately but believes he has identified and corrected the issue.

“Some little tweaks I have made around the greens have really helped,” Fishburn said. He feels optimistic about his performance potential, stating, “I just know if I play the way I am capable of playing, it will be good enough to be involved on Sunday.”

Fishburn will be joined by fellow Utahn Tony Finau, competing in his 36th major, and is grateful for the support of mentors like Finau and PGA veteran Daniel Summerhays. While his wife, Madison, is unable to attend due to her pregnancy, Fishburn will have family and friends present for encouragement.

<p“It is definitely a milestone in Patrick’s career,” said his agent, Rob Despain. As anticipation builds for the championship, all eyes will be on Fishburn as he tees off on No. 10 Thursday morning at 5:16 a.m. MDT.