Folks, what a finish! Yesterday, March 22, 2026, Matt Fitzpatrick snatched victory at the Valspar Championship, securing his third PGA Tour title. A 13-foot, 11-inch (approx. 4.24 meters) birdie putt on the par-4 18th hole of Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course sealed the narrow race against David Lipsky. Fitzpatrick finished the tournament at 10-under par and delivered a truly strong performance over the weekend, deservedly making him champion.
But as sweet as the victory tastes, there was a small sour note: Fitzpatrick reportedly was annoyed by the pace of his playing partner. On the green, it wasn't just about birdies and bogeys, but also about frayed nerves. Insiders report that he even complained to a referee.
Slow Play Despite Strong Performance
It was Adrien Dumont de Chassart who vocally drove Matt Fitzpatrick to despair. Fitzpatrick called the pace of play "simply frustrating" and "glacial." A week prior, he had already secured a second-place finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, shaking off the frustration from the 18th – and seemingly channeling that into this victory. His iron shots? Really strong, with improved distance control and precision. Things are going well!
Momentum Before the Masters
With this triumph, Fitzpatrick, for whom it was the first PGA Tour victory since Harbour Town 2023, is now on his way to World Ranking position 6. A real boost just before the Masters! In an interview, he already joked that he would "probably win the Masters." The guy is hot! No sign of pressure on the birdie at the 18th; he played conservatively on the 17th, knowing that Lipsky was behind. That's clever golf, folks!
