MATT REVIVAL
Late birdies help Fitzpatrick forget miserable Ryder Cup
MATT FITZPATRICK overcame his Ryder Cup heartbreak in his first event since Europe’s record-breaking defeat as he secured a threeshot victory at the Andalucia Masters.
The Englishman made it two Ryder Cup appearances without a point as Europe were defeated 19-9 at Whistling Straits, losing his singles match from one up with three to play to ensure the United States won by a record margin.
He carded a bogeyfree 69 to finish at six under and beat Swede Sebastian Soderberg and Australia’s Min Woo Lee. Thirdround Laurie Canter, above, fell away after a disappointing 76.
Fitzpatrick started the day three behind Canter but 15 consecutive pars were enough to edge him closer to the top of the leaderboard atValderrama.
Soderberg picked up four shots in his first four holes with the help of an eagle on the fourth and led by two at six under with two to play.
But the 31-year-old lost his ball at the 17th and Fitzpatrick pounced, making his first birdie of the day on the 16th to take the lead.
He two-putted the par-five 17th for a second birdie in a row and, with Soderberg also bogeying the last in a closing 70, it was a seventh win in as many seasons on the European Tour for the man from Sheffield.
“Winning around Valderrama is something you want to tick off on the bucket list,” he said. “To do it in the way that I did, with no bogeys in the final round was extra special.
“I felt if I could hang in there and pick up a couple of birdies if possible, pars were never a bad thing, and that’s what I did.
“You can hit half decent shots and be behind a tree and you’re chipping out. I’m really pleased with the way my attitude was all week.”