Matt Fitzpatrick reflects on his 2015 and his Ryder Cup hopes

Matt Fitzpatrick has described 2015 as the best year of his life after performing far better than he'd expected in a breakthrough season on the European Tour.

The 21-year-old posted more top-10s than any other player during his rookie campaign, with his season highlight being a two-shot victory and his maiden professional title at the British Masters.

Fitzpatrick started the year outside of the world's top 400 but is now up to career high world No 43 after following top-15 finishes in the last three Final Series events with strong showings in South African and Thailand.

The Omega European Masters runner-up had also come close at the Lyoness Open and Czech Masters before his victory at Woburn, with Fitzpatrick left delighted by how his year has gone.

"It's a 10 out of 10 because I've exceeded my expectations," Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports News HQ. "It's the best year of my life and the best year I've ever had."

"If I stick to the same plans, work as hard as I did this year and with no changes then hopefully we'll have the same kind of year next, if not better.

The Sheffield star's form has seen him widely tipped as a potential player for Darren Clarke's Ryder Cup team, as Europe head to Hazeltine next autumn chasing a fourth consecutive victory.

Fitzpatrick heads in to the new year third in the European Tour points list and would currently be an automatic qualifier for the 12-man squad, but knows there's still plenty of work to do for him to secure his place.

"It would mean the world to me," Fitzpatrick added. "Obviously that's a goal for any professional golfer.

"I've certainly given myself a good chance after this year and I'll hopefully be able to take that in to next year and perform well and try and make the team."