Golf Apr 29, 2026

Matt Fitzpatrick confident for Masters after finding 'missing link' at The Players and Valspar Championship

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Matt Fitzpatrick confident for Masters after finding 'missing link' at The Players and Valspar Championship

Matt Fitzpatrick is in a confident frame of mind ahead of The Masters, after finding the "missing link" in his game helped him win the Valspar Championship.

The Englishman bounced back from disappointment at The Players , adding to previous victories at the US Open in 2022 and RBC Heritage in 2023.

Fitzpatrick had led The Players by one shot after 16 holes last Sunday, only for a par-bogey finish see him overhauled by Cameron Young in the PGA Tour's flagship event at TPC Sawgrass.

However, the 31-year-old rebounded this weekend, with a closing birdie from around 14 feet at Innisbrook Resort seeing him pip David Lipsky by one shot.

Fitzpatrick was ecstatic with his approach play, something he will look to take into Augusta National live on Your Site from April 9, with his best Masters finish to date a share of seventh place in 2016.

On the impending first major of the season, he joked: "I'm probably going to win! No, no!

"I mean, I'm obviously very confident in my game right now. But what it takes to win a major is very different to what it takes to win on the PGA Tour, in my opinion.

"Particularly the Masters. There's extra pressure there, no matter who you are. It just has that standing above all the other events, as well as the majors.

"I'm coming away from this week delighted with where my game's at but there's stuff I want to improve. I want to make sure when I get to Augusta I'm ready that Thursday morning."

Speaking in more detail about what is going right in his game, Fitzpatrick said: "There's a big difference in my approach play.

"My irons are just so much better - better control, better distance control, better accuracy left-to-right. Hitting the shape that I want to hit.

"Me and [golf coach] Mark Blackburn had a great session last Thursday that felt like it really helped me. It's made a big difference over the last seven rounds of golf I've played.

"I knew going into [round four of the Valspar Championship] that I was first in approach play for the first three rounds.

"I don't know where I ended up finishing but that's a big difference from where I've come from in the past.

"I have always felt like my short game's been good enough, felt my driving's always been good enough and putting's been good enough.

"Approach play always felt like it was the missing link. So far this year it's been really good and last year it was really good as well.

"It's just about continuing that and keeping improving as much as I can and giving myself more opportunities."

Watch The Masters live on Your Site from April 9-12. The next PGA Tour event is the Texas Children's Houston Open, live on Sports Golf from 12.30pm on Thursday.

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

Solheim Cup - Anna Nordqvist captain's column: Early Team Europe decisions and why excitement is building ahead of 2026 contest

Solheim Cup - Anna Nordqvist captain's column: Early Team Europe decisions and why excitement is building ahead of 2026 contest

Welcome to my first blog, called Captain's Corner! This year, you can follow my journey as the European Solheim Cup Captain all the way up to the bien...

Ryder Cup 2027: Luke Donald named Team Europe's captain for Adare Manor and chases historic three-peat over Team USA

Ryder Cup 2027: Luke Donald named Team Europe's captain for Adare Manor and chases historic three-peat over Team USA

Luke Donald will captain Team Europe for a third consecutive Ryder Cup after being named in the role again for the 2027 contest at Adare Manor in Irel...

Women's World Championship: Charley Hull ready for first major in 2026 after near misses with eyes on world No 1 spot

Women's World Championship: Charley Hull ready for first major in 2026 after near misses with eyes on world No 1 spot

Charley Hull says she is ready to win a major in 2026 with the Englishwoman set for the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore this week.Hull mo...

Andrea Pavan: Italian golfer falls down lift shaft in freak accident as fellow pros donate towards his recovery

Andrea Pavan: Italian golfer falls down lift shaft in freak accident as fellow pros donate towards his recovery

Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has sustained multiple injuries after falling three floors down a lift shaft in South Africa. The accident took place at P...

Shane Lowry reveals anguish at Cognizant Classic title loss in front of four-year-old daughter

Shane Lowry reveals anguish at Cognizant Classic title loss in front of four-year-old daughter

Shane Lowry revealed his anguish at missing out on victory at the Cognizant Classic in front of his young daughter.Lowry had looked on course for a co...

Ryder Cup 2027: Why is Luke Donald Team Europe's captain again and what led to historic third stint for Adare Manor?

Ryder Cup 2027: Why is Luke Donald Team Europe's captain again and what led to historic third stint for Adare Manor?

Luke Donald could have called time on his Ryder Cup career with his status as a European great already secured, but the former world No 1 is back for...