Matt Fitzpatrick Wins Valspar Championship After Players Championship Heartbreak

Palm Harbor, Florida – Matt Fitzpatrick secured his third PGA Tour victory at the Valspar Championship on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course. This win comes just one week after a heartbreaking loss at The Players Championship, where he finished second to Cameron Young.

Redemption at Innisbrook

Fitzpatrick carded a final-round 3-under 68, finishing with an 11-under 273 total, one stroke ahead of David Lipsky. The decisive moment came on the 18th hole, where he sunk a 14-foot birdie putt to claim the championship. He was the only player in the field to proceed bogey-free over the weekend.

A Week of Contrasts

The victory provides redemption for Fitzpatrick, who last week held a two-stroke lead with two holes to play at The Players Championship, only to see Cameron Young snatch victory with a closing birdie-par. Fitzpatrick demonstrated sportsmanship in defeat, congratulating Young’s family on his win. He cited his upbringing as the reason for his graciousness, recalling how his father immediately went to console Will Zalatoris after his 2022 U.S. Open victory.

Dominant Iron Play

Fitzpatrick’s performance was highlighted by his exceptional iron play. He ranked first in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, second in Strokes Gained: Approach, and fourth in proximity to the hole. He credited improvements in his approach play over the last 12 months, working with Mark Blackburn.

Final Leaderboard

Jordan Smith finished third at 9-under, marking his best PGA Tour finish. Sungjae Im, who led after three rounds, tied for fourth at 8-under alongside Xander Schauffele and Marco Penge.

Florida Swing Success

Fitzpatrick’s win continues a trend of Palm Beach County residents dominating the 2026 Florida Swing. He joins Nico Echavarria (Cognizant Classic), Akshay Bhatia (Arnold Palmer Invitational), and Cameron Young (The Players) as winners from the area. Notably, all four events in the Florida Swing were won by players who came from behind.

Source: Yahoo Sports, Golf Channel, Palm Beach Post