The US Open sat quietly in a corner of the restaurant. The server brought the appetizer card and the normally-jovial crowd showed a sense of restraint in keeping the chatter to a tolerable volume. After a time, the Open selected a bit of Hadwin, some Morikawa, and two small plates of Dahmen and Rahm. The server nodded with a smile, turned gracefully, and repaired to the kitchen, to begin the meal preparations.

Satisfied, she took a sip of her vintage Matsuyama, and suddenly had an urge to add some McIlroy to the list. It had once caught her fancy, but this was a different decade and, perhaps, the craving was no longer as fierce. She sat back once again, and contemplated her options for the plato fuerte, or main course.

On the one hand, the Zalatoris was the talk of Boston town, and nearly everywhere else across the United States. It had caught the country’s attention and was on the verge of achieving something rare across the culinary world: a Michelin Dish Star. The alternative was another unique opportunity. The Fitzpatrick had began its life at this hideaway as a small plate, nearly a decade ago. It had established itself as a reliable starter, but was on the cusp of something notorious.

Matthew Fitzpatrick won the Amateur, but Matt Fitzpatrick wins the Open

Folks at publishing houses would reject the manuscript as impossible. Denizens of film studios would sneer at the script, and send the hopeful writer away with little more than a wave. How in the world could anyone support the plausability of an English golfer who wins the US Amateur in the days leading to his 19th birthday. He attends American University for one term, then departs to pursue a professional career. Over the next nine years (seven, if we don’t count Covid) he wins seven times on the European Tour, but never reprises the magic of his week at the Am. Fast forward to his 28th year. The US Open returns to the scene of his Amateur glory, and the now-27 year old finds himself in the final pairing on Sunday with an American phenom, on the edge of his own breakthrough. One of them hoists the champion’s trophy, while the other ties for second, one shot behind.

That implausible story came true on Sunday, June 19th, for Matthew Thomas “Matt” Fitzpatrick. The pride of Sheffield played his way into the final pairing with Will Zalatoris. If you haven’t read of Zalatoris, he has a way of making the scene at major championships, and finishing inside the top four with regularity. Like Fitzpatrick, Zalatoris left university early to pursue his professional dreams. Like Zalatoris, he had yet to win professionally at the highest American level.

Over the first nine holes on Sunday, neither one was the story. The 2022 Master champion, Scottie Scheffler, had posted four birdies over the round’s first half, and sat in the leader’s chair, at six-under par. The Country Club had other plans for Scheffler. Consecutive bogeys at 10 and 11 dropped him to minus-four, but a final birdie at the famous 17th returned him to five-deep. His 67 should have won him the Open.

Hideki Matsuyama won a Masters in 2021. That’s where Zalatoris finished second by a skim. Matsuyama was present at Brookline, but before Sunday, was an afterthought. On Sunday, he was perfect. The Japanese star posted birdies at holes six and seven on his way to the turn, then added three more coming home, for a round of 65. It was the low tally of the week, and could have won him a second major title. He was perfect, but just not perfect enough.

Collin Morikawa is halfway to the career grand slam. After 36 holes, he looked for all the world like a man on the way to an Open title and a third career major. After 54 holes, he looked for all the world like a man who was fortunate to make the cut. Morikawa had followed rounds of 69 and 66 with an inexplicable 77. On Sunday, Morikawa added another 66 and finished 5th with McIlroy, one back of Matsuyama.

Will Zalatoris began his final round at Brookline with bogeys at holes two and three. He countered with three birdies at six, seven, and nine, and added a fourth at 11. With victory in site, he slipped at 12 and 15, but rebounded at 16. He would need one more over the closing holes to reach minus-six, but it was just out of reach.

Matt Fitzpatrick had three birdies against one bogey on the outward nine. He opened a gap against his partner, but allowed it to close with bogeys of his own at 10 and 11. With the calm of a veteran, the 2013 US Amateur champion posted birdies at 13 and 15, and reached six-under par. He would need the calm of a warrior over the final three holes, and he was able to summon it.

At this juncture, the US Open summoned the server and made her decision. She opted, at the last moment, for the Fitzpatrick over the Zalatoris. Neither was the incorrect choice. Perhaps on another occasion, she would reverse her decision. When the chef asked the server why their guest had gone one way instead of the other, shoulders simply shrugged and came the answer “I do not know why the Open chooses you. It just does.”

The first player from outside the United States to win the #USOpen and #USAmateur = @MattFitz94 ??#LexusGolf | @Lexus pic.twitter.com/liwg0q51p8

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2022