2026 Valspar Championship grades: Matt Fitzpatrick picks up first win since 2023 as Sungjae Im falls off late

A week after coming up just short at The Players, Fitzpatrick found his way back into the winner's circle

It took a week longer than he desired, but Matt Fitzpatrick completed a come-from-behind victory on Sunday, earning a one-shot victory at the 2026 Valspar Championship to capture his first PGA Tour win since 2023. Fitzpatrick, who nearly ended his drought at The Players Championship, instead got the job done 250 miles south, just outside of Tampa, Florida.

This time, Fitzpatrick was able to hold off David Lipsky in the group behind him, earning a comeback victory with a 3-under 68 that moved him to 11 under for the championship. The 2022 U.S. Open winner began the day there shots behind 18-, 36- and 54-hole leader Sungjae Im, who ejected with a 2-over 74, including four bogeys across his first eight holes.

Fitzpatrick quickly climbed into a share of the lead at 9 under as Im backed up to the field. Both Im and the biggest surprise of the week, 45-year-old Brandt Snedeker, struggled to get any positive momentum going in the final pairing, and by the time they reached the back nine, they were no longer part of the conversation. 

The battle down the back nine was a scrappy one, where everyone in the final few groups was struggling to hit quality shots on an increasingly challenging golf course. Fitzpatrick was able to finally break free from the pack to take the solo lead at 10 under with a 30-foot birdie on the par-3 15th. 

Lipsky quickly joined him with a birdie in the group behind at the par-5 14th, and as they made their way to the always difficult Snake Pit, it was anyone's tournament. Fitzpatrick and Lipsky each parred the 16th before hitting terrific tee shots into the long par-3 17th to inside 15 feet; however, neither could hole the birdie putt. On the 18th, Fitzpatrick threaded his drive into the narrow fairway, which allowed him to throw a dart to 14 feet below the hole, where he again poured in a huge putt to take the lead.