Northwestern University Athletics
Matt Fitzpatrick Takes Third PGA Tour Victory at Valspar Championship
3/22/2026 6:55:00 PM | Men's Golf
PALM HARBOR, Florida (March 22, 2026) – After a runner-up finish last week at the Players Championship, Northwestern alum Matt Fitzpatrick came firing right back, taking his third career victory on Sunday at the Valspar Championship.
Fitzpatrick began his week with a 3-under 68 in his opening round, following it up with rounds of 69 and 69 to enter his final round trailing by three. With another 68 in his final round, Fitzpatrick secured his first win on the PGA Tour since the 2023 RBC Heritage.
"I felt like last week I played so well, right until the end," Fitzpatrick said. "To lose the way I did, it's always disappointing … and to lose it right at the death is always difficult to take. So, this week was important to get back on the horse and try and push myself to continue playing well."
After a birdie to start his final round, Fitzpatrick made par on eleven straight holes and was tied with fellow Wildcat alum David Lipsky for the lead. Fitzpatrick birdied the par-3 15th hole, draining a 30-foot putt and stepped to the 18th tee box tied with Lipsky at 10-under for the week.
"I felt like I missed a few early," Fitzpatrick said. "I think, even after 9, I looked and I was tied for first at 9-under. I was a little taken aback by that. I thought I might be two or so behind. But that helped me to kind of maintain just to keep doing what I was doing and give myself chances."
After leading the field at the Players Championship in driving accuracy, the Englishman put forward another great showing with the driver, gaining 3.319 strokes on the field this week to place fifth overall.
Fitzpatrick's drive on 18 was no different, launching the ball 303 yards to the middle of the fairway, leaving him with just a wedge for his second shot. His next shot left him with just under 14 feet to the hole, which he drained with a fist pump to take the lead at 11-under.
Lipsky found himself just off the green with a lengthy birdie putt to match Fitzpatrick and send the tournament to a playoff, but came up just short. Lipsky's finish was his highest since taking third place at the 3M Open in July, and his runner-up result Sunday vaulted him up 75 places to 33rd in the FedEx Cup standings.
"This week was an awesome week and I'm really looking forward to seeing what events I get into the rest of the year and trying to play my way into those playoffs," Lipsky said after the round.
Also representing Northwestern at the Valspar Championship was Dylan Wu, who finished tied for 26th at 3-under.
With three top-10s to begin his season, Fitzpatrick looks to continue that momentum heading into the summer.
"It's obviously a great start to the season now, and particularly in two weeks, because the major season is just around the corner," Fitzpatrick said. "It's two weeks off, just to kind of prepare myself for that and then get better."
Fitzpatrick began his week with a 3-under 68 in his opening round, following it up with rounds of 69 and 69 to enter his final round trailing by three. With another 68 in his final round, Fitzpatrick secured his first win on the PGA Tour since the 2023 RBC Heritage.
A Trio for the Collection ??????
— Northwestern Golf (@NUGolf_) March 22, 2026
Matt Fitzpatrick picks up his third career PGA Tour victory at the Valspar Championship! pic.twitter.com/K5NGu139Rs
"I felt like last week I played so well, right until the end," Fitzpatrick said. "To lose the way I did, it's always disappointing … and to lose it right at the death is always difficult to take. So, this week was important to get back on the horse and try and push myself to continue playing well."
After a birdie to start his final round, Fitzpatrick made par on eleven straight holes and was tied with fellow Wildcat alum David Lipsky for the lead. Fitzpatrick birdied the par-3 15th hole, draining a 30-foot putt and stepped to the 18th tee box tied with Lipsky at 10-under for the week.
"I felt like I missed a few early," Fitzpatrick said. "I think, even after 9, I looked and I was tied for first at 9-under. I was a little taken aback by that. I thought I might be two or so behind. But that helped me to kind of maintain just to keep doing what I was doing and give myself chances."
After leading the field at the Players Championship in driving accuracy, the Englishman put forward another great showing with the driver, gaining 3.319 strokes on the field this week to place fifth overall.
Fitzpatrick's drive on 18 was no different, launching the ball 303 yards to the middle of the fairway, leaving him with just a wedge for his second shot. His next shot left him with just under 14 feet to the hole, which he drained with a fist pump to take the lead at 11-under.
Lipsky found himself just off the green with a lengthy birdie putt to match Fitzpatrick and send the tournament to a playoff, but came up just short. Lipsky's finish was his highest since taking third place at the 3M Open in July, and his runner-up result Sunday vaulted him up 75 places to 33rd in the FedEx Cup standings.
"This week was an awesome week and I'm really looking forward to seeing what events I get into the rest of the year and trying to play my way into those playoffs," Lipsky said after the round.
Also representing Northwestern at the Valspar Championship was Dylan Wu, who finished tied for 26th at 3-under.
With three top-10s to begin his season, Fitzpatrick looks to continue that momentum heading into the summer.
"It's obviously a great start to the season now, and particularly in two weeks, because the major season is just around the corner," Fitzpatrick said. "It's two weeks off, just to kind of prepare myself for that and then get better."
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