Fitzpatrick wins Open de France by three strokes

Matt Fitzpatrick won the FedEx Open de France by three strokes on Sunday, September 27, finishing at 20-under par after a testing final round at Le Golf National outside Paris. The Englishman carded a one-under 70 to claim his 11th DP World Tour title and fourth victory of the season. Fitzpatrick began the day five shots ahead of Tom Vaillant, but the margin narrowed as the final round unfolded. He made 12 consecutive pars, relying on his short game to preserve the lead while challengers Eugenio Chacarra and Kristoffer Reitan pressed. Chacarra drew within two shots during the round, while Reitan came within three. Fitzpatrick broke the run of pars with a birdie at the 13th, then birdied the 15th to restore a larger cushion. Chacarra’s challenge weakened after a double bogey at the 13th, and Reitan dropped shots later in the round. Fitzpatrick bogeyed the 18th, but his steady finish was enough to secure the title. Ángel Hidalgo finished second at 17-under after a final-round 67, three shots behind Fitzpatrick. According to the tournament account, Hidalgo’s result earned him a place in The Open at St Andrews, as the French event was the first in that qualifying series.