Matt Fitzpatrick caps remarkable season with French Open victory

Matt Fitzpatrick caps remarkable season with French Open victory

Matt Fitzpatrick added a fourth title to his outstanding season on Sunday, winning the French Open at Le Golf National in Paris by three shots.

The Englishman began the final round with a five-shot lead and eventually finished at 20 under par after carding a one-under 70. Spain's Angel Hidalgo closed with a 67 to finish runner-up, while Tom Vaillant, Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra, Matthieu Pavon and Kristoffer Reitan shared third.

The victory is Fitzpatrick's 11th DP World Tour title and his fourth worldwide win of the year. He has already won the Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour, as well as the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside his younger brother Alex.

Despite his sizeable overnight advantage, Fitzpatrick faced a difficult final round.

He struggled to find his best form during the opening 12 holes and went through a long stretch of pars as the chasing pack began to close the gap. Lopez-Chacarra made three birdies in his first four holes and another at the sixth, while Reitan also briefly moved within three shots.

Lopez-Chacarra's challenge ended at the 13th when an errant tee shot was followed by a water ball, resulting in a double bogey.

Fitzpatrick then regained control of the tournament with back-to-back birdies. He hit his approach at the 13th close to the pin before rolling in a 20-foot putt at the 15th, restoring a five-shot advantage.

He safely made par on the next two holes before dropping a shot at the last. By then, however, the result was secure.

"Obviously delighted to get it over the line. It was definitely a battle today," Fitzpatrick said.

"I didn't have my best stuff for the first 12 holes and then managed to find some of my best stuff."

Hidalgo's runner-up finish came with an additional reward, securing his place in next year's Open Championship at St Andrews through the Open Qualifying Series. Fitzpatrick was already exempt.

Home favourite Vaillant, who began the day second, finished in a tie for third after a final-round 70. Pavon produced the day's lowest score, a seven-under 64, to join him, Lopez-Chacarra and Reitan at 15 under.

Ludvig Aberg also finished strongly with a 66 to claim a share of 11th.

For Fitzpatrick, the victory provides another highlight in a remarkable year that has also included some setbacks, including a missed cut at the Open Championship and a disappointing spell during the PGA Tour postseason.

The win also comes shortly after Fitzpatrick and his wife, Katherine, welcomed their first child.

"I can't wait to get home and see them," he said.

The DP World Tour now heads to Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, played across Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the Old Course at St Andrews.