The Englishman held off a late challenge by the defending champion, New Zealand's Ryan Fox, who shot a final round 65, to win the weather-affected Dunhill Links Championship by three strokes.

The 2022 U.S Open champion shot a six-under 66 on the Old Course at St Andrews to finish on 19-under overall in an event reduced to 54 holes after heavy rain wiped out play on Saturday and Sunday.

Play was only possible on Monday after remarkable efforts from the greenkeepers at the three storied Scottish courses hosting – St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns – to make them playable.

Fox, a recent winner at the BMW PGA Championship, shot 65 on the Old Course and was tied for second place with Matthew Southgate (66 at St Andrews) and Marcus Armitage (66 at Carnoustie).

"It's funny really, it was kind of a freewheeling week – playing with mum and just trying to enjoy it the best I can and see what happened." – Matt Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick hadn't won in Europe since the Andalucia Masters in October 2021. This latest title comes a week after he was part of Europe's Ryder Cup-winning team in Rome, where he claimed his first point in golf's biggest show after five straight losses across away matches in 2016 and 2021.

He played with his mother, Susan, in the pro-am at the Dunhill Links – and they won, too.

“I just helped guide her around. One of my close friends, Josh, is on the bag, and he's done great helping her out. We had a great week and really dovetailed well this week, Matt Fitzpatrick said following his individual and pro-am double.

“I think last year we struggled on that front, every time I made a birdie, Mum would make a birdie and she's been brilliant this week.”

"It's funny really, it was kind of a freewheeling week – playing with mum and just trying to enjoy it the best I can and see what happened," added Fitzpatrick, who had pictures taken with his mother on the Swilcan Bridge at the 18th hole and then made birdie from 10 feet.

The 29-year-old Englishman shot 67 at Carnoustie on Thursday and 64 at Kingsbarns on Friday.

A total of 39 players either withdrew or retired ahead of the third and final round.

PGA Tour of Australasia's 2022/23 Order of Merit winner, David Micheluzzi was the best placed Australian, finishing in a tie for 14th at 12-under-par.