Matt Fitzpatrick is now an 11-time DP World Tour winner after claiming the FedEx Open de France by three strokes at Le Golf National.
The World Number Four signed for a final round of 70 to reach 20 under par, etching his name into the history books of Continental Europe’s oldest national open in its 108th edition.
Fitzpatrick, who began his final round five shots in front, had his patience tested throughout the early stages on Sunday, forced to settle for even par across the first 12 holes.
A breakthrough birdie came at the 13th hole, by which time a chasing pack was closing in, before another at the 15th reinstated a handy buffer.
The Englishman produced some of his best work down the stretch, a closing bogey the only blemish, with his short game helping hold off the challengers and seal the title.
It marked his third national open win on European soil, following success at the 2017 and 2018 Omega European Masters, and fourth overall, including the 2022 U.S. Open victory.
It’s amazing. Whenever you manage to win, it’s always special. And this week it adds to that. I played great for the first three rounds, and it was a bit of a battle today. So just makes it that much sweeter.
Yeah, definitely (patience was tested). I think the first 12 holes, like I said, were a bit of a grind, out-positioned a few times, and managed to sort of scramble my way to making 12 pars in a row. And then it was nice to make a breakthrough birdie on 13 to get some of that cushion back basically.
Just trying to make the same swings I had all week (focus down the stretch). Really felt like my game was in a good place. Felt like I hit a lot of good shots and played really well basically Thursday to Saturday. And the first 12 holes were a bit of a battle, different winds, so I felt a little bit more uncomfortable with all the directions for the holes, but the last six I really felt like I played some of my best stuff all week. So it was nice to kind of close out there.
I think I definitely took a more relaxed attitude to this week (following last week’s BMW PGA Championship). So, coming towards the end of the season, and obviously it was a little bit last-minute addition in my schedule. But, you know, to obviously get this over the line and a good finish last week is obviously a great start on the Ryder Cup points as well, so there’s a lot of bonuses to doing that.
“It’s amazing (to win another national open),” Fitzpatrick said. “I think the biggest thing for me is the history. You look at some of the names of the winners on the French Open trophy, and even as well as any tournament I feel I’ve been lucky enough to win that’s had some fantastic winners in the past, and it’s always nice to kind of add your name to that group.
“The support was great this week. I really, really felt it. And I think when you go into a different country, sometimes you might not necessarily get that. But, you know, even today, playing with Tom (Vaillant), he had a lot of French support, which was amazing to see. I also felt like I had a lot of support, which was nice.
“Yeah, absolutely (first win as a dad makes it more special). I was just speaking to my wife, just, you know, first win as a dad is always really cool. And, you know, hopefully I can sort of continue that trend.”
Spain’s Angel Hidalgo produced another impressive performance to finish runner-up, mixing five birdies and a bogey for a 67 and final tally of 17 under par.
It was enough to earn him a place in The 155th Open at St Andrews, being the highest finisher not already exempt, with the FedEx Open de France the first event of The Open Qualifying Series.
Compatriot Eugenio Chacarra, whose 62 on Saturday was the best round of the week so far, finished two shots back, in a tie for third alongside Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan and French duo Matthieu Pavon and Tom Vaillant. The home favourites delighted a passionate crowd, in what marked both of their best finishes on French fairways.
2025 champion Michael Kim was in a group at 14 under, alongside 2022 winner Guido Migliozzi and South Africa’s Brandon Stone, while Dane Jeff Winther rounded out the top ten.
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