Matt Fitzpatrick Claims Valderrama Title After Late Soderberg Collapse
Matt Fitzpatrick Claims Valderrama Title After Late Soderberg Collapse


Sebastian Soderberg had been leading by two shots with two holes to play, but a late collapse, combined with some fantastic golf from Matt Fitzpatrick, handed the Andalucía Masters trophy to the Englishman.
Matt Fitzpatrick Claims Valderrama Title After Late Soderberg Collapse
After a superb birdie at the par-3 15th, Sebastian Soderberg stood two shots clear with two holes remaining.
However, a lost drive to the right on the par-5 17th led to a double-bogey, with a bogey at the last almost securing his fate as Matt Fitzpatrick pounced to claim his seventh European Tour title.
The Englishman had been enduring an extremely tactical round, with a number of birdie chances failing to drop at the difficult Valderrama layout.
But, after 15 straight pars, he made back-to-back birdies at the 16th and 17th, which catapulted him into a comfortable three-shot lead playing the treacherous last.
Striping a high draw down the middle, the two-time Ryder Cup player made yet another par to cap off a superb display and three-shot victory.
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"This win has been on the bucket list," said Fitzpatrick after his round, "with all of the history Valderrama has, and to do it bogey free on Sunday is extra special. I'm delighted."
Starting the final round, it was Englishman Laurie Canter who began the day three shots clear of the field, but he was soon joined by Soderberg who started with two birdies and an eagle.
Despite a birdie at the 5th, Canter would double bogey and then bogey the 6th and 7th to drop back out of contention, with a closing 76 good enough for a T4 finish.
As Canter struggled, it was soon becoming a tense race between a whole host of players, with Soderberg becoming the front runner, carving out a two shot lead with only a handful of holes left.
But a five shot swing between Fitzpatrick and Soderberg over the last three holes, saw a two-shot lead go to a three-shot buffer, with Fitzpatrick closing out in fine style to win.
"I was very patient all day," Fitzpatrick added, "I didn't try and press anything and managed to hole the putts at the end.
"You can hit half decent shots here and be punished for it. It's a true test and I'm just super pleased with how my attitude has been all week."

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover news and social media.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. His favorite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST 15°, 19°
Irons: TaylorMade P.7CB
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1