In-form Matthew Fitzpatrick liking his Masters mojo after Valspar victory

Twelve months after being in a “tough” place as he drove up Magnolia Lane, Matthew Fitzpatrick will make the same journey in a fortnight’s time as a genuine Masters contender.

The Englishman is up to world No 6, having jumped 15 spots on the back of holing a 15-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Florida.

Fitzpatrick’s third PGA Tour triumph came a week after he was pipped in The Players Championship by American Cameron Young at TPC Sawgrass after leading with two holes to play.

Matt Fitzpatrick poses with the trophy after winning the Valspar Championship at Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Florida | Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

“Yeah, it's great,” said the Sheffield man after signing off with a 68 for an 11-under-par total as he won by a shot from American David Lipsky. “Yeah, I feel like it's obviously a great start to the season now.”

After The Players Championship last year, 2022 US Open champion Fitzpatrick was sitting 69th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

His place in the Ryder Cup team was under threat but, helped by tying for fourth in both the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open, he deservedly made the side for Bethpage Black.

‘It was tough this time last year’

Fitzpatrick then rounded off his 2025 calendar campaign in style by beating Rory McIlroy in a play-off to win the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai for a second time.

“Yeah, it was tough this time last year,” he admitted. “I missed the cut at The Players, played really badly. Had a change in my team on the caddie front. And then didn't make the cut at Valero (Texas Open). And kind of scrambling my way around Augusta.

“Yeah, it was hard. I didn't really know what was going to happen. It's hard. That's why, you know, I hate the game and I love the game. That's why I always tell people I prefer football as opposed to golf (smiling).

“It is a frustrating game, but we keep coming back because for moments like on the last today. But, yeah, I wasn't obviously happy with my game at that moment in time. But I think I've learned that obviously you can get over that.”

Bob MacIntyre down to No 11 in world

In a good week for English players, Jordan Smith finished third in Florida, with Marco Penge sharing fourth spot.

Meanwhile, Bob MacIntyre has slipped outside of the top ten in the world due to a combination of Fitzpatrick’s jump and the Scot deciding to skip the Valspar event after his fourth-place finish in The Players Championship.

MacIntyre, who will finalise his Masters preparation by teeing up in next week’s Valero Texas Open, dropped two spots to 11th.