Matt Fitzpatrick wins Valspar Championship

Overcomes disappointment from close call at Players Championship to claim third PGA Tour title

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:11pm

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Matt Fitzpatrick birdied the 18th hole to cap off a 3-under 68 and win the Valspar Championship by one shot over David Lipsky. Fitzpatrick managed to play bogey-free on a sunbaked Copperhead course at Innisbrook that ruined the hopes of others, including Sungjae Im and Brandt Snedeker. The victory came a week after Fitzpatrick felt he did everything right only to see Cameron Young beat him on the final hole of The Players Championship.

Why it matters

Fitzpatrick's win at the Valspar Championship marks his third PGA Tour title, adding to his nine European Tour victories. The victory comes after a close call the previous week at The Players Championship, showing Fitzpatrick's resilience and ability to bounce back from disappointment. The win also highlights the challenging conditions at the Copperhead course, which proved too much for several top contenders.

The details

Fitzpatrick birdied the 18th hole from just inside 15 feet to edge out David Lipsky, who was playing in the group behind him. Fitzpatrick managed to play bogey-free despite the difficult conditions, while others like Sungjae Im and Brandt Snedeker struggled. Lipsky, a 37-year-old American with wins on four tours around the world, was seeking his first PGA Tour victory.

  • Fitzpatrick won the DP World Tour Championship to close out the European tour season last November.
  • The final round was played on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

The players

Matt Fitzpatrick

A 28-year-old English professional golfer who has won three PGA Tour events and nine European Tour titles, including the 2022 U.S. Open.

David Lipsky

A 37-year-old American professional golfer who has won on four tours around the world but was seeking his first PGA Tour victory.

Sungjae Im

A 24-year-old South Korean professional golfer who led the tournament through the first three rounds but struggled on Sunday, shooting a 74.

Brandt Snedeker

A 45-year-old American professional golfer who last won on the PGA Tour in August 2018. He was tied for the lead on Sunday but struggled on the back nine, shooting a 76.

Cameron Young

The 25-year-old American golfer who beat Fitzpatrick on the final hole of The Players Championship the previous week.

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What they’re saying

“The big thing was I felt I was playing well. I wanted to continue that and felt like I had the confidence in myself to do so. To do that for four rounds was special this week.”

— Matt Fitzpatrick

“I was right in between clubs. I took a more aggressive play. Almost pulled it off. It was close. Hats off to Matt.”

— David Lipsky

“Stood on the 10th tee tied for the lead, which is all you can do. My swing left me on the back nine. I really struggled. ... All those putts I've been making all week dried up today.”

— Brandt Snedeker

What’s next

Fitzpatrick will look to build on his Valspar Championship win as he prepares for the upcoming major championships, including the Masters in April.

The takeaway

Fitzpatrick's victory at the Valspar Championship demonstrates his resilience and ability to bounce back from disappointment, as he overcame a close call the previous week at The Players Championship to claim his third PGA Tour title. The win also highlights the challenging conditions at the Copperhead course, which proved too much for several top contenders.