Matt Fitzpatrick capped off an extraordinary season by clinching his fourth global triumph of the year with a commanding three‑stroke win at the FedEx Open de France, held at the renowned Le Golf National. The world No. 4 entered the final round holding a comfortable five‑stroke lead and never looked back, delivering a steady performance that featured two birdies and a single bogey for a final‑round 70.
This victory marked his 11th title on the DP World Tour and underscored his status as one of the sport’s most consistent performers. Finishing the tournament at 20 under par, Fitzpatrick finished well ahead of his nearest rival, Spain’s Angel Hidalgo, who posted a strong final‑round 67, birdieing three of his last five holes.
Eugenio Chacarra, who had been in contention throughout the week, ended up sharing third place, five strokes behind the champion. Chacarra’s solid play also helped him close the gap to leading figures such as Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai rankings, while Tom Vaillant, Matthieu Pavon and Ryder Cup hopeful Kristoffer Reitan were tied at 15 under. Earlier in the season, Fitzpatrick had already secured three PGA Tour victories – the Valspar Championship, the RBC Heritage, and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans – making his French triumph his first DP World Tour win since the season‑ending DP World Tour Championship in November. His ability to dominate across both tours highlights a versatile skill set that translates well to a variety of courses and conditions.
The final day began with a sizable lead for Fitzpatrick, but the pressure quickly mounted when Chacarra, playing ahead, rattled off three birdies in his first four holes and added a fourth birdie from 12 feet on the par‑four sixth. Chacarra’s momentum continued as he erased a three‑putt bogey on the eighth by capitalising on the subsequent par‑five, pulling within two strokes of Fitzpatrick after the Englishman made par on every front‑nine hole.
Kristoffer Reitan also surged into contention, racing to the turn with a 33 and birdieing the par‑five 14th, briefly narrowing the gap to three strokes. However, a pair of bogeys on the following three holes stalled his charge, allowing Fitzpatrick to maintain his advantage.
Chacarra’s bid for the title suffered a major setback on the 13th hole. An errant tee shot forced him to take a drop, and his third shot found water, resulting in a penalty that forced a double‑bogey after he managed to scramble out of the drop zone. This misstep effectively ended his challenge and reinforced Fitzpatrick’s control of the leaderboard. Fitzpatrick responded with precision on the back nine.
He hit a perfect approach on the 13th that landed within kicking‑in range and then rolled in a 20‑foot putt on the 15th for birdie, pushing his total to 21 under and extending his lead to five strokes. He played the remaining holes conservatively, taking pars on the 16th and 17th, before reaching the par‑four 18th.
Although he missed a chance to finish with a birdie, a simple tap‑in for bogey sealed the victory. Reflecting on his performance, Fitzpatrick said, "Obviously delighted to get over the line. It was definitely a battle today.
I didn’t have my best stuff for the first 12 holes and then managed to find some of my best stuff. Golf is a game of multiple skills and I used them all in the end this week.
Just coming down the stretch there, to get the shots I did and make the putts I did was special." Hidalgo’s runner‑up finish earned him a spot in next summer’s Open at St Andrews via the Open Qualifying Series, while Fitzpatrick already holds an exemption. Tom Vaillant vaulted into a tie for third after sinking a 20‑foot birdie putt on the final hole, demonstrating the depth of talent in the field. Other notable performances included first‑round leader Michael Kim, who finished tied for seventh with Guido Migliozzi and Brandon Stone, and Ludvig Åberg, who climbed into a tie for 11th after carding a five‑under 66 on the final day.
The DP World Tour now shifts to Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a unique event played across three historic courses: Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Golf Links, and the Old Course at St Andrews. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre will look to retain his title amid the storied links setting. Fans can follow live coverage starting Thursday at midday on Sky Sports Golf, with additional streaming options available on NOW without a contract. For those interested in playing the game themselves, the latest Sky Sports deals offer discounted rates, and golfers can book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the provided booking platform.
Overall, Fitzpatrick’s triumph in France adds another impressive chapter to a season already filled with victories, showcasing his resilience, strategic acumen, and ability to perform under pressure. As the tour moves to the historic links of Scotland, all eyes will be on whether he can continue his dominant form and further cement his place among the elite of modern golf.