Golf May 30, 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

Who is Aaron Rai? How humble English golfer rose to win the PGA Championship and why he wears two gloves

Who is Aaron Rai? How humble English golfer rose to win the PGA Championship and why he wears two gloves

Aaron Rai became became the first Englishman in 107 years to win the PGA Championship on Sunday, after the 31-year-old climbed to the top of a packed...

The CJ Cup Byron Nelson: Wyndham Clark comes from behind to beat Si Woo Kim and Scottie Scheffler to win fourth PGA Tour event

The CJ Cup Byron Nelson: Wyndham Clark comes from behind to beat Si Woo Kim and Scottie Scheffler to win fourth PGA Tour event

Wyndham Clark came from two shots behind to end a two-year wait to win a PGA Tour event at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Sunday, outlasting both Si Woo K...

Ryder Cup: Aaron Rai will 'catch up' with European captain Luke Donald in the 'coming days' following PGA Championship win

Ryder Cup: Aaron Rai will 'catch up' with European captain Luke Donald in the 'coming days' following PGA Championship win

Aaron Rai says he is due to "catch up" with Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald in the coming days, as talk continues to mount around his possible inclusion...

PGA Championship: LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau have wildly different major weeks during Aaron Rai's Aronimink win

PGA Championship: LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau have wildly different major weeks during Aaron Rai's Aronimink win

As the PGA Championship delivered one of the most congested fields in major history until Aaron Rai’s win, LIV Golf’s two marquee names experienced va...

Aaron Rai: PGA champion discusses idolising Tiger Woods, his work ethic and wife's influence after Aronimink glory

Aaron Rai: PGA champion discusses idolising Tiger Woods, his work ethic and wife's influence after Aronimink glory

Aaron Rai was delighted to see his hard work pay off as he followed "idol" Tiger Woods in becoming a winner of the PGA Championship.​​​​Rai's three-st...

LPGA Tour: England's Lottie Woad holds on for Kroger Queen City Championship win after eventful final round in Ohio

LPGA Tour: England's Lottie Woad holds on for Kroger Queen City Championship win after eventful final round in Ohio

Lottie Woad closed out a second LPGA Tour title after overcoming a mid-round double-bogey to complete a two-shot victory at the Kroger Queen City Cham...