Golf Mar 26, 2026

Valspar Championship: England's Matt Fitzpatrick bounces back from The Players near miss to claim first PGA Tour title since 2023

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Valspar Championship: England's Matt Fitzpatrick bounces back from The Players near miss to claim first PGA Tour title since 2023

Matt Fitzpatrick bounced back from his final-hole disappointment at last week's Players Championship to birdie the last and win the Valspar Championship by a stroke for his first PGA Tour victory in almost three years.

The Englishman displayed superb consistency as he shot 68-69 over the weekend with just six birdies and 30 pars, but the most important of the shots he picked up was at the Copperhead Course's tough 18th hole.

His late birdie edged him ahead of America's David Lipsky by one shot, with the contest appearing set for a play-off. England's Jordan Smith was a further shot back, with Xander Schauffele finishing on eight under after a magnificent 65 on Sunday.

Tied with Lipsky on 10 under going into the final hole, Fitzpatrick hit his approach to just inside 14 feet and holed for his first birdie in 12 attempts on that hole.

It left the American, in the group behind, needing to match that to force a play-off but his 32-foot attempt came up just short.

For Fitzpatrick it was some consolation having finished a stroke short last week after bogeying the final hole at Sawgrass and being pipped by Cameron Young, with this win the ideal confidence boost ahead of next month's Masters.

Speaking afterwards, Fitzpatrick said: "I felt like last week I played so well right until the end. To lose the way I did, it's always disappointing.

"It always feels like it takes a little out of you when you spend four days of your life battling to try and get that top spot and you lose it right at the death.

"That is always difficult to take so this week was important to get back on the horse, try and push myself to continue playing well.

"It was frustrating [at The Players]. It was a weird feeling because I didn't really feel like I did much wrong coming down the stretch. I hit a lot of really good shots on that back nine.

"I played way better on the back nine last Sunday than I did on the back nine this Sunday, for example.

"Obviously there's more frustration when you don't feel like you've done a lot wrong, you don't feel like you've lost it, you feel like someone's come and taken it away from you

"I made sure that this week I didn't coast. I knew that I was playing well and it was like 'let's just keep pushing and give ourselves the best chance we can'."

Fellow Englishman Smith's five-under 66 got him to nine under and into third, while compatriot Marco Penge was also in contention until he bogeyed the 16th, finishing in a tie for fourth on eight under after a 68.

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

Jon Rahm withdraws his appeal against sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour but fine issue means his Ryder Cup future is in doubt

Jon Rahm withdraws his appeal against sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour but fine issue means his Ryder Cup future is in doubt

Jon Rahm has withdrawn his appeal against sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour for playing conflicting LIV Golf events but is yet to pay his outstan...

DP World Tour: Jordan Gumberg wins Hainan Classic by one stroke to secure second career title

DP World Tour: Jordan Gumberg wins Hainan Classic by one stroke to secure second career title

Jordan Gumberg claimed his second career victory on the DP World Tour as he claimed a one-stroke win at the Hainan Classic on Sunday.The American, who...

The Masters: Tiger Woods 'trying' to make comeback at Augusta National but yet to confirm decision after TGL return

The Masters: Tiger Woods 'trying' to make comeback at Augusta National but yet to confirm decision after TGL return

Tiger Woods insists that he still wants to make his major return at The Masters and is ‘trying’ to be fit to feature at Augusta National next month, l...

TGL golf LIVE: Latest scores, reports, highlights, updates and news as PGA Tour stars play in indoor team league

TGL golf LIVE: Latest scores, reports, highlights, updates and news as PGA Tour stars play in indoor team league

Salah tipped to join top European club instead of moving to Saudi ArabiaLiverpools Mohamed Salah has been tipped to defy Saudi Arabian mega-bucks...

Bolton bids to host 2035 Ryder Cup as Tommy Fleetwood offers backing to landmark tournament

Bolton bids to host 2035 Ryder Cup as Tommy Fleetwood offers backing to landmark tournament

Tommy Fleetwood has backed Bolton in their bid to host the Ryder Cup and says he will support the town in every way he can. Greater Manchester Mayor A...

LPGA Tour: Nelly Korda comeback in vain as Hyo-Joo Kim holds on to win Fortinet Founders Cup in California

LPGA Tour: Nelly Korda comeback in vain as Hyo-Joo Kim holds on to win Fortinet Founders Cup in California

Hyo-Joo Kim held off the challenge of world No 2 Nelly Korda to clinch her eighth LPGA Tour title with a one-shot victory at the Fortinet Founders Cup...