Matt Fitzpatrick Captures French Open for Fourth Win of Season
Matt Fitzpatrick continued his remarkable 2026 campaign on Sunday, winning the FedEx Open de France at Le Golf National for his fourth title of the year. The Englishman carded a final-round 1-under 70 to finish at 20-under par, three shots clear of Spain's Angel Hidalgo.
The victory marks Fitzpatrick's 11th career DP World Tour title and his 15th professional win overall. It also makes him the first Englishman to win four tournaments in a single season.
"Obviously delighted to get it over the line, it was definitely a battle today," Fitzpatrick said after the round. "Didn't have my best stuff for the first 12 holes, and then managed to find some of my best stuff."
Fitzpatrick entered Sunday with a commanding five-shot lead after rounds of 65, 64 and 65. His 54-hole total of 194 matched the tournament record set by Seve Ballesteros in 1985. Despite a slower start in the final round, he made key birdies at the 13th and 15th holes to secure the win.
A Special Celebration Off the Course
The victory carried extra significance for Fitzpatrick, who recently welcomed his first child, son Jack, with wife Katherine. After the win, Katherine shared a screenshot on Instagram of a FaceTime call with the caption, "First win as dad."
"I can't wait to get home and see them," Fitzpatrick said.
A Season of Redemption and Record Earnings
The French Open win caps a massive bounce-back season for Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion. After a relatively quiet start to 2026, he caught fire in the spring. He finished second at The Players Championship, then won the Valspar Championship days later. He followed that with a playoff victory over Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage and teamed with his younger brother Alex to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
His success has propelled him to a career-best No. 3 world ranking and second place in the FedExCup standings. According to Yahoo Sports, Fitzpatrick has earned nearly $29 million in prize money this season, plus an additional $13 million in bonus cash. That total would place him 67th on the PGA Tour's all-time career money list.
Fitzpatrick's performance has also benefited others. As a Protiviti Golf Brand Ambassador, his win triggered a 25,000-meal donation through the company's Birdies for Meals campaign. The program has now donated over one million meals since its launch in 2021.
"This has been one of the most rewarding seasons of my career," Fitzpatrick said. "Every tournament presents a new challenge, and my team and I are always looking for ways to prepare better."
Fitzpatrick's Rise Reshapes Golf's Elite Tier
Fitzpatrick's 2026 season represents a significant shift in professional golf's hierarchy. While Scottie Scheffler remains the sport's dominant force, Fitzpatrick has inserted himself into the conversation as a consistent major threat. His four victories across both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour demonstrate a versatility that few players can match.
The timing is notable. With the Ryder Cup on the horizon and the PGA Tour season winding down, Fitzpatrick's form positions him as a key figure for Team Europe. His ability to win on both sides of the Atlantic—and his success in team events alongside his brother—adds a valuable dimension to his resume.
For now, Fitzpatrick will take a brief pause to savor both the trophy and his new role as a father. But with the FedExCup playoffs approaching and his ranking at an all-time high, the 32-year-old appears poised for even bigger moments ahead.
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