Matt Fitzpatrick edged even closer to securing his fourth global victory of the year by widening his margin to five strokes as he entered the final round of the FedEx Open de France. The English star entered the weekend at Le Golf National holding a single‑stroke advantage, but a spectacular six‑under‑par 65 on Saturday afternoon saw him stretch that lead further, combining seven birdies with only one bogey for the day.
Having already claimed three PGA Tour titles this season – the Valspar Championship, the RBC Heritage and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans – Fitzpatrick posted a total of 19 under par after his round, putting him comfortably ahead of France’s Tom Vaillant, who was the nearest challenger on the leaderboard. Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra, who sits third in the Race to Dubai rankings behind Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy, surged into a tie for third place after delivering a round‑of‑the‑week 62.
His performance featured an eagle and seven birdies, underscoring his rising form on the DP World Tour. Other notable names in the six‑stroke chase group included Ryder Cup hopeful Kristoffer Reitan, South African Brandon Stone, Mexico’s Angel Hidalgo and Denmark’s Jeff Winther.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who had been slated to start the third round, withdrew due to illness, removing another strong contender from the mix. Fitzpatrick seized control early in his round, birdieing the opening hole and then holing a 40‑foot putt on the par‑five third to add a second birdie.
The former US Open champion followed that up with a birdie on the sixth, demonstrating his aggressive yet precise approach. Although he missed a par‑saving chip on the par‑three eighth, he quickly rebounded with a birdie on the next par‑five and added three more birdies before the turn, including a tap‑in on the par‑four 13th that further extended his lead. The tournament also featured a host of ancillary coverage, with live updates from the Presidents Cup 2026, including scores, tee times and highlights as Team USA hosted the International Team at Medinah. Golf fans could also follow the latest leaderboards across the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, LIV Golf, DP World Tour, Ladies European Tour and major championships.
In related news, Justin Thomas attempted a left‑handed shot at the Presidents Cup but was unsuccessful, while Tom Kim quieted a boisterous American crowd with a composed performance. Reflecting on his dominant Saturday, Fitzpatrick said, "Just another really, really solid day.
I felt really comfortable out there. It's always nice to get off to a nice start like that and then you can kind of kick on from there. I felt like my game was pretty solid all day.
I think I'm in a position where if I shoot a good round tomorrow, it becomes almost impossible to catch me. But there’s still a long way to go, so I’m taking it hole by hole." Vaillant will share the final‑day group with Fitzpatrick after posting a third‑round 67 that featured five birdies and a single bogey.
Chacarra’s 62 was highlighted by a spectacular 25‑foot eagle on the ninth and a streak of five birdies over a seven‑hole stretch on the back nine, prompting him to comment, "I’ve been playing unbelievable golf the first couple of rounds. The putts weren’t going in, but today we finally saw them drop.
I’m really happy with a good moving day." Jeff Winther’s round was marred by a double‑bogey on the par‑five 14th, leaving him at 13 under after a 70. Meanwhile, first‑round leader Michael Kim fell back another shot after finishing his day with a double‑bogey on the final par‑four.
English teammates Sam Bairstow and Joe Dean both recorded matching 66s, positioning themselves at 11 under heading into the final day. Prior to his withdrawal, Fleetwood had been sitting at six under, indicating that his absence could reshape the dynamics at the top of the leaderboard. The final round of the FedEx Open de France is set to commence on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available via NOW for viewers who prefer a contract‑free experience. Golf enthusiasts are also encouraged to explore the best rates for tee times at over 1,700 courses throughout the UK and Ireland, with a simple search by course name, city or postcode. Overall, Fitzpatrick’s performance has placed him in a commanding position to claim the title, but the final round promises to be a test of nerves and skill as his rivals look to mount a comeback.
The combination of his consistent ball‑striking, precise putting and strategic course management suggests that he is well‑poised to add another trophy to his impressive season tally.