PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Matt Fitzpatrick took longer than usual to get over his loss last week at The Players Championship, mainly because he played so well and did so little wrong until Cameron Young won by the difference of one tee shot on the final hole at TPC Sawgrass.
“To lose it right at the death is always difficult to take,” Fitzpatrick said.
Seven days later, he found the best antidote.
The 31-year-old Englishman was locked in a duel with David Lipsky in the final hour at the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship and this time delivered the goods, a birdie putt from just inside 15 feet on the final hole for a 3-under-par 68 and a one-shot victory with a 72-hole score of 11-under 273 at Innisbrook Resort.
“I knew that I was playing well,” Fitzpatrick said. “And it was like, ‘Let’s just keep pushing and give ourselves the best chance we can.'”