Matt Fitzpatrick capped off a spectacular year on tour by clinching his fourth global triumph of the season with a decisive 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, posting a steady 70 that featured two birdies and a single bogey, thereby adding an 11th DP World Tour title to his résumé. Finishing the tournament at 20 under par, Fitzpatrick comfortably outpaced his nearest rival, Angel Hidalgo, who surged late with three birdies in his last five holes to record a 67 on the final day.
Eugenio Chacarra also made a solid showing, sharing third place five strokes behind the leader. Chacarra's performance, along with strong rounds from Tom Vaillant, Matthieu Pavon and Ryder Cup hopeful Kristoffer Reitan, all of whom posted 15 under, helped him close the gap on the race‑to‑Dubai leaders Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy. This French victory follows a string of successes for Fitzpatrick earlier in the year on the PGA Tour, where he captured the Valspar Championship, the RBC Heritage, and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
His win at Le Golf National marks his first DP World Tour triumph since the season‑ending DP World Tour Championship in November, underscoring his ability to compete at the highest level across both sides of the Atlantic. The tournament narrative was shaped early on by Chacarra, who, playing ahead of Fitzpatrick, rattled the leader’s overnight advantage with a flurry of birdies. He birdied three of his first four holes and added another from 12 feet on the par‑four sixth, briefly narrowing the margin. A three‑putt bogey on the eighth was quickly offset by a strong par‑five, pulling Chacarra back within two strokes of Fitzpatrick, who had played a flawless front nine, making par on every hole.
Reitan also made a push, racing to the turn in 33 and birdieing the 14th par‑five, bringing him within three of the leader. However, two bogeys on the next three holes stalled his momentum, allowing Fitzpatrick to maintain his lead. Chacarra’s title hopes were further compromised when an errant tee shot on the 13th forced a drop, and his subsequent third shot found water. The Spaniard was forced to scramble for a double bogey, effectively ending his challenge.
Fitzpatrick reasserted his dominance on the back nine. An approach shot on the 13th landed within kicking‑distance range, and he holed a 20‑foot putt on the 15th, securing two crucial birdies that lifted him to 21 under and a five‑stroke cushion. He then played pars on the 16th and 17th, preserving his advantage heading into the final hole.
On the 18th par‑four, Fitzpatrick missed a short up‑and‑down but tapped in for a bogey, sealing 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, getting the shots I did and making the putts I did was special." Hidalgo’s runner‑up finish earned him a spot in next summer’s Open Championship at St Andrews via the Open Qualifying Series, while Fitzpatrick is already exempt. Vaillant vaulted into a tie for third after sinking a 20‑foot birdie putt on the final hole. Early‑round leader Michael Kim finished tied for seventh with Guido Migliozzi and Brandon Stone, and Ludvig Åberg moved into a tie for 11th after carding a five‑under 66 on the last day.
The DP World Tour now shifts north to Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a three‑venue event played across Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Golf Links, and the historic Old Course at St Andrews, where defending champion Robert MacIntyre will look to retain his title. Fans can follow live coverage beginning Thursday at midday on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available on NOW without a contract. Golf enthusiasts are also invited to explore the best rates and book tee times at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, using the convenient search tool by entering a course name, city, or postal code.
This tournament not only highlighted Fitzpatrick’s continued excellence but also set the stage for an exciting climax to the season as the world’s top players converge on the iconic links of Scotland.