DUBAI: Calling him the new kid on the block, ‘golf in DUBAi’ has lauded the stunning achievement of Matt Fitzpatrick, who climbed from 413rd position at the start of the year into the world’s top 50 on Monday.

The 21-year-old from Sheffield, who came through the Qualifying School, finished in a tie for 13th at the BMW Masters in Shanghai to hit the landmark that will open doors to a world of opportunity.

Staying inside the top 50 on the world rankings at the end of the calendar season will earn him an automatic invitation to play at Augusta next April, and also to the US Open and British Open, as well the World Golf Championships events.

With his creditable finish in Shanghai, the young English prodigy has also broken into the top-15 in the Race to Dubai, making him eligible for a share of the $5 million bonus pool.

“What Matt has achieved in his rookie season on the European Tour speaks volumes of his talent and temperament. He is certainly a new kid on the block who promises to light up the world of golf,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAI.

“Breaking into the top-50 in the world, is just the beginning of his professional career and we will see more of him in the future.

“Being an ambassador for ‘golf in DUBAi,’ Matt is emblematic of the city in that he is young, dynamic and willing to undertake great challenges as he pits himself against the best in the world,” he added.

Fitzpatrick, who played his first tournament as a professional at the Irish Open in June 2014, broke through on the European Tour with his maiden win at the 2015 British Masters, the feat lifting him from 111th in the world rankings to just inside the top 60.

“I’ve been playing quite nicely lately and just been trying to work hard at my game and keep on top of everything. I am doing a lot of good work to make sure everything’s in good shape,” said Fitzpatrick, who also featured in the MENA Golf Tour’s Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open last year.

“As for the Ryder Cup, I’d love to exceed expectations again. It’s not something I’m focused on, but it’s in the background. I’m just trying to play golf,” said Fitzpatrick, the fresh face of Chubby Chandler’s ISM stable

And he is really playing well, having a year for the ages!