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 to secure his third PGA Tour title a week later, 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 Sky Sports 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.”
What does Fiztpatrick put his form down to?
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.
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Fitzpatrick speaks after picking up his first PGA Tour trophy since the RCB Heritage in 2023
“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 Sky Sports 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. Stream with NOW.
