Matt Fitzpatrick bounced back from disappointment at THE PLAYERS to collect his first PGA TOUR title in over three years with a one-shot victory at a tightly-contested Valspar Championship.
The 31-year-old Englishman came into the final round at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course three shots behind overnight leader Sungjae Im of South Korea who had a two-shot gap at the top. But it was Fitzpatrick who produced a flawless final round display in a congested field.
A steady front nine saw him in contention alongside the likes of fellow English duo Jordan Smith and Marco Penge and American pair David Lipsky and Brandt Snedeker. At one point, there was a five-way tie for the lead. But Penge, Snedeker, and Smith all buckled at various points on the back nine as Fitzpatrick and Lipsky went into the final hole level.
But Fitzpatrick redeemed himself from last weekend’s late agony making no mistake on this occasion with a vital birdie putt to card a 3-under 68 and place himself on 11 under. It was an anxious wait for the former U.S. Open champion who had to wait for Lipsky in one of the groups behind. But the American, who required at least a birdie to force a play-off, came up short to secure Fitzpatrick with his third career PGA TOUR triumph and first since the 2023 RBC Heritage.
“To come away with a win this week is really special, considering last week’s performance as well,” Fitzpatrick said afterwards.
“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t an ideal putt [on 18]. I wouldn’t say I was overly keen on it considering my putting performance but to get it done was special.”
Victory means he now catapults up to third on the FedExCup standings and is now back inside the top 10 on the Official World Golf Rankings.
It also gives the Englishman belief as the first major of the season, The Masters, approaches.
“I’m obviously very confident in my game right now but what it takes to win a major is very different to what it takes to win on the PGA TOUR,” he added.
“Particularly the Masters, there’s extra pressure on the Masters, no matter who you are. It just has that standing above all the other events, as well as the majors.
“I’m coming away from this week delighted with where my game’s at but there’s stuff I want to improve.”
Lipsky’s final-round 70 was enough for him to finish runner-up on 10 under with Smith ending the tournament in third on 9 under. There was a three-way tie for fourth between American Xander Schauffele, Im, and Penge.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the Texas Houston Children’s Open taking place between 26-29 March at Memorial Park Golf Course in Texas.