Matt Fitzpatrick won his 11th DP World Tour title after claiming the FedEx Open de France trophy by three shots at Le Golf National.
The world number four signed for a final round of 70 to reach 20 under-par, etching his name into the history books of Continental Europe’s oldest national open in its 108th edition.
Matt, who began his final round five shots in front, had his patience tested throughout the early stages on Sunday and was forced to settle for an even-par score through the first 12 holes.
A breakthrough birdie came at the 13th hole, by which time the chasing pack was closing in, before another at the 15th reinstated a handy buffer.
The Yorkshireman produced some of his best work down the stretch – a closing bogey the only blemish – with his short game helping hold off the challengers and seal the title.
“It’s amazing; whenever you manage to win it’s special,” said Matt. “I played great for the first three rounds and it was a bit of a battle today, which just makes it that much sweeter.
“I think the first 12 holes were a bit of a grind. I was out of position a few times and managed to scramble my way to making 12 pars in a row. It was nice to make a breakthrough birdie on 13 to get some of that cushion back. Over the last six holes, I really felt like I played some of my best stuff all week and it was nice to close it out.
“I definitely took a more relaxed attitude to this week [following last week’s BMW PGA Championship]. We’re coming towards the end of the season, and this was a last-minute addition in my schedule, so to get this over the line and add it to a good finish last week is a great start on the Ryder Cup points race as well.
“It’s amazing [to win another national open]. I think the biggest thing for me is the history. You look at some of the names of the winners on the French Open trophy – it’s nice to add my name to that group.
“The support was great this week too – I really felt it. Even today, playing with Tom [Vaillant] who had a lot of French support, it was amazing to see,” added Matt, who won for the first time since becoming a father. “I was just speaking to my wife, and to get my first win as a dad is really cool.”
Spain’s Angel Hidalgo produced another impressive performance to finish runner-up, mixing five birdies and a bogey for a 67 and final tally of 17 under-par. It was enough to earn him a place in The 155th Open at St Andrews, being the highest finisher not already exempt as the FedEx Open de France kicked off The Open Qualifying Series.
Compatriot Eugenio Chacarra, whose 62 on Saturday was the best round of the week so far, finished two shots back in a tie for third alongside Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan and French duo Matthieu Pavon and Tom Vaillant.
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