Matt Fitzpatrick now has seven European Tour titles after winning the Andalucia Masters on Sunday. Fitzpatrick finished 6 under par after shooting a bogey-free 69 in the final round. He ended the day with a three-shot lead. Lee Min-Woo finished at second place with 3 under, tied with Sebastian Soderberg, who had the lead in the round up till the 16th round. Laurie Canter, who was the overnight leader coming into the final round, was tied in fourth place with James Morrison and Robert Rock at two under.
The day started with Canter at the lead but he was soon displaced by Soderberg, who made a birdie at the second hole and an eagle on the fourth. Canter continued to suffer after making a bogey on the sixth and seventh hole. Soderberg also suffered a bit as he and Canter were tied at the seventh. All these while, Fitzpatrick, who began his day three shots behind.
Soderberg continued to sail on with a birdie at the 11th and a par at the next hole. He made a bogey at the 13th but made up for that at the 15th. It was also at the 15th hole that Fitzpatrick made the last par for now, as he went on to birdie the 16th and 17th. Be then settled with a winning par at the 18th to claim victory, his first for the season.
After the round, Fitzpatrick explained just how excited he was to make such a win: “”It’s on the bucket list to win around Valderrama with the history it has. To do it bogey free on Sunday as well is extra special, I’m delighted.” Indeed, not many people get to complete a final round of a game without making a bogey. Having waited for so many weeks just to win his first European Tour of the season, Fitzpatrick won it in the most deserving way.
Written by: Leon Osamor