Matt Fitzpatrick continued his outstanding 2026 season by claiming a three shot victory at the FedEx Open de France, calmly protecting his overnight advantage at Le Golf National to secure his fourth worldwide title of the year.
The Englishman entered Sunday with a five-shot lead and closed with a one under par 70, finishing the tournament at 20 under par. Spain’s Angel Hidalgo produced a strong final round 67 to finish second on 17 under, while Eugenio Chacarra, Tom Vaillant, Matthieu Pavon and Kristoffer Reitan shared third place at 15 under.
The victory gave Fitzpatrick his 11th DP World Tour title and his first Open de France crown, adding his name to the list of champions at one of continental Europe’s oldest and most prestigious national opens.
It was not quite as straightforward as the final winning margin might suggest.
Fitzpatrick began the final round in a commanding position after shooting a 65 on Saturday to reach 19 under, five strokes clear of home favourite Vaillant. The world No. 4 had been in superb form throughout the tournament, but his advantage came under pressure during the opening half of Sunday’s round.
Chacarra launched an aggressive early challenge.
The Spaniard birdied three of his opening four holes and added another at the sixth, rapidly cutting into Fitzpatrick’s lead. When Chacarra birdied the ninth and Fitzpatrick continued making pars, the gap had been reduced to only two shots.
Fitzpatrick, however, refused to panic.
He made 12 consecutive pars to begin his final round, repeatedly relying on an excellent short game to escape difficult positions and maintain control of the tournament. Fitzpatrick later admitted that he did not have his best golf during that stretch but remained patient until an opportunity arrived.
The tournament then swung dramatically at the 13th hole.
Chacarra’s tee shot found trouble and forced him to take a penalty drop. His next attempt found the water, and he eventually recorded a costly double bogey, severely damaging his title challenge.
Fitzpatrick took full advantage moments later.
He fired his approach at the 13th to close range and converted his first birdie of the day, restoring some breathing room at the top of the leaderboard.
That moment proved decisive.
Fitzpatrick continued to play composed golf before rolling in a long birdie putt at the 15th. The second birdie moved him to 21 under and restored a five shot advantage, effectively closing the door on the chasing pack.
The 2022 US Open champion comfortably negotiated the next two holes before arriving at the par four 18th with the tournament firmly under control.
His final hole was not perfect. Fitzpatrick missed the green and was unable to get up and down, resulting in only his second bogey of the entire week.
It mattered little.
A tap in bogey completed a final round 70 and confirmed a three stroke victory at 20 under.
Hidalgo finished strongly behind him.
The Spaniard birdied three of his final five holes to sign for a 67 and claim outright second place. His performance also secured qualification for The 155th Open Championship at St Andrews, with a place available to the highest finisher at Le Golf National who was not already exempt.
Chacarra recovered from his costly mistake at the 13th but could not rebuild a serious challenge, eventually joining Vaillant, Pavon and Reitan in a four way tie for third.
For Fitzpatrick, the result continued what has become one of the strongest seasons of his professional career.
He has now won four tournaments worldwide in 2026.
His first three victories came on the PGA Tour, where he won the Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage, before teaming up with younger brother Alex Fitzpatrick to claim the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The Open de France now gives him a first DP World Tour victory of the season.
The victory also marked Fitzpatrick’s 11th career title on the DP World Tour and added another significant European trophy to his collection.
Fitzpatrick spoke afterwards about the history attached to the Open de France, noting that former champions include legends such as Seve Ballesteros and Sir Nick Faldo. He described becoming part of that list as particularly meaningful.
There was also personal significance to the victory.
Fitzpatrick and his wife Katherine recently welcomed their first child, Jack, making the Open de France his first tournament victory since becoming a father. After securing the trophy, Fitzpatrick said he was eager to return home and celebrate with his family.
His performance across the four days demonstrated why he remains one of the most consistent players in world golf.
Fitzpatrick arrived at Le Golf National as the highest-ranked player in the field and took control of the tournament with rounds of 65, 64 and 65 before Sunday’s more measured closing 70.
Sunday provided a different challenge.
Instead of chasing birdies, Fitzpatrick had to manage a substantial lead while rivals attacked around him. Chacarra briefly created genuine pressure, but Fitzpatrick’s scrambling kept him ahead until he could deliver the decisive birdies on the back nine.
That ability to remain patient ultimately separated him from the field.
The DP World Tour now moves to Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, played across Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the Old Course at St Andrews.
Fitzpatrick will arrive there carrying considerable momentum.
With victories on both sides of the Atlantic and four worldwide titles already secured, 2026 has developed into an exceptional year for the Englishman.
And after surviving his only real moment of pressure at Le Golf National, Matt Fitzpatrick leaves Paris as Open de France champion three shots clear of the field and with another trophy added to a remarkable season.
