Matt Fitzpatrick capped off an extraordinary season with a commanding three‑stroke triumph at the FedEx Open de France, held at the renowned Le Golf National. The world number four entered the final round with a comfortable five‑stroke cushion and never looked back, delivering a steady 70 that combined two birdies with a single bogey, thereby clinching his eleventh DP World Tour title. Finishing the tournament at 20 under par, Fitzpatrick stood well ahead of his nearest rival, Angel Hidalgo, who surged late with three birdies in his last five holes to post a respectable final‑round 67. Eugenio Chacarra, who had been a strong contender throughout the week, settled into a shared third place, five shots back from the leader.
Chacarra's performance also had broader implications for the Race to Dubai standings, as his strong play helped him close the gap on seasoned campaigners Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy. Other players tied at 15 under included Tom Vaillant, France's Matthieu Pavon, and Ryder Cup hopeful Kristoffer Reitan, each of whom demonstrated the depth of talent on the European circuit.
This victory adds to Fitzpatrick's impressive résumé for the year. Earlier in the season he captured three PGA Tour events—the Valspar Championship, the RBC Heritage, and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans—showcasing his versatility across both sides of the Atlantic. The French win marks his first DP World Tour triumph since the season‑ending DP World Tour Championship in November, underscoring his ability to maintain peak form across different tours and continents. The final day began with a dramatic reduction of Fitzpatrick's lead.
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, narrowing the gap considerably. A three‑putt bogey on the eighth was quickly offset by a birdie on the subsequent par‑five, bringing Chacarra within two strokes of the leader after Fitzpatrick had made par on every hole of his front nine.
Reitan also made a push, racing to the turn with a 33 and birdieing the par‑five 14th, which placed him just three shots behind Fitzpatrick. However, his momentum stalled as he dropped bogeys on two of the next three holes, allowing the Englishman to re‑establish a comfortable margin. Chacarra's challenge was ultimately derailed by a costly mistake on the 13th hole. After an errant tee shot forced him to take a drop, his third shot found water, resulting in a penalty and a double‑bogey after a scramble from the drop zone.
This setback effectively ended his hopes of overtaking Fitzpatrick. Seizing the opportunity, Fitzpatrick responded with precision on the back nine. He hit a powerful approach on the 13th that landed within kicking‑in range, and a 20‑foot putt on the 15th rolled in for birdie, pushing his total to 21 under and extending his lead to five strokes. Calm pars on the 16th and 17th kept the pressure off, and although he missed a short up‑and‑down on the final par‑four, a tap‑in bogey was enough to seal 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, but 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 at St Andrews via the Open Qualifying Series, while Fitzpatrick remains exempt thanks to his world ranking.
Vaillant vaulted into a tied‑third position after holing a 20‑foot birdie putt on the final hole, further highlighting the depth of competition. Earlier in the tournament, first‑round leader Michael Kim shared seventh place with Guido Migliozzi and Brandon Stone. Meanwhile, Ludvig Åberg climbed into a tie for 11th after carding a five‑under 66 on the concluding day, demonstrating his consistent form. Looking ahead, the DP World Tour shifts to Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a prestigious event played across the historic courses of Carnoustie, Kingsbarns Golf Links, and the Old Course at St Andrews.
Defending champion Robert MacIntyre will aim to retain his title amid a field of seasoned European tour veterans. Fans can follow live coverage starting Thursday at midday on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available via NOW for those seeking contract‑free viewing. Additionally, golf enthusiasts can explore discounted rates and book tee times at any of the 1,700 courses throughout the UK and Ireland, ensuring easy access to the sport at all levels.