PALM HARBOR, Florida – After just missing victory at The Players Championship last Sunday, Matt Fitzpatrick came through with flying colors one week later in the final round of the Valspar Championship to notch his third career PGA Tour win.
One week earlier Fitzpatrick bogeyed the 72nd hole at TPC Sawgrass to lose by one to Cameron Young, but on this sparking spring day on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort, he birdied the 72nd hole to claim a one-stroke victory over David Lipsky.
The 31-year old Englishman knocked in a 14-foot birdie putt vaulting him to the winner’s circle in the 31st edition of the Valspar Championship.
“I really love the golf course, I love the test,” said a happy Fitzpatrick after his round. “If you look at the scores in the past, they are never very below par. I love the challenge and the grind.”
And grind he did. Fitzpatrick and Lipsky were tied going into the big decider – ‘The Snake Pit’ holes 16-18. Year after year the Valspar winner has been is decided on one of the greatest finishes on Tour. Fitzpatrick went par-par-birdie while Lipsky parred all three finishing holes. That typically is good enough to win. But not this year.
“My main focus on 18 was to hit the fairway,” said the winner of the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline. “I know that if you miss that fairway it’s difficult to make a par, let alone a birdie. We really liked the flag position. We wanted to hit it just past the flag and give myself a look.”
He had a great look as he did most of the day. They didn’t all go in but he made the putt that counted the most. And the feeling was just what you would think.
“Relief, celebration, and happiness,” he said. “ I just wanted to give myself a chance to get to 11 (under par) and David was right behind me and playing well. And these guys are so good out here. I’m just so happy to celebrate now.”
David Lipsky finished at 10-under, while Jordan Smith posted 9-under to finish third. Xander Schauffele, Marco Penge and Sungjae Im were T-4 at 8-under.
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