[Winners Club] Fitzpatrick: "I Prefer the Blade"

by Roh Woolae

Published 24 Mar.2026 06:00(KST)

Third Career Victory at Valspar Championship After Three Years
Runner-up Last Week With Mallet Putter
Come-from-Behind Win With Old Blade Putter
Sinks 4-Meter Birdie Putt on Final 18th Hole for Triumph

World No. 6 Matt Fitzpatrick (England) made the right choice.

On March 22 (local time), he pulled off a come-from-behind victory at the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour, held at the Copperhead Course (par 71) of Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. This marked his third career PGA Tour win, coming three years after his last victory at the RBC Heritage in April 2023. The winner's prize money was 1,638,000 dollars (approximately 2.47 billion won), out of a total purse of 9.1 million dollars.

Matt Fitzpatrick cheers after securing a birdie on the 18th hole of the 4th round at the Valspar Championship to confirm his victory. Palm Harbor=AFP Yonhap News Agency Photo by AFP

Fitzpatrick finished as runner-up by one stroke at The Players Championship, known as the "fifth major," just a week earlier. He missed a par putt on the final 18th hole (par 4) on the last day, handing the trophy to Cameron Young (USA). At that time, he used a Bettinardi BB1 Fitz mallet putter.

Before this tournament, Fitzpatrick switched putters. He placed the Bettinardi BB1 Fitz blade putter, which he had previously used, back in his caddie bag. On the final day of the Valspar Championship, Fitzpatrick was tied for the lead with David Lipsky (USA) through the 17th hole (par 3). A playoff seemed imminent, but Fitzpatrick drained a 4-meter birdie putt on the final 18th hole (par 4) to win by one stroke.