Matt Fitzpatrick expressed frustration over Adrien Dumont de Chassart’s slow pace of play during the final round of the Valspar Championship. This took place on March 22, 2026, at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. Fitzpatrick, who eventually won the tournament, made his dissatisfaction known after being paired with Dumont de Chassart in the penultimate group.
PGA Tour Warnings Due to Slow Play
As the final round unfolded, Fitzpatrick found himself three shots behind leader Sungjae Im. However, a series of unexpected turns, including Im’s struggles, opened the door for Fitzpatrick. Meanwhile, Dumont de Chassart’s performance faltered, with two triple bogeys on par fives, leaving him far behind.
Despite Dumont de Chassart’s poor performance, it was his slow play that drew Fitzpatrick’s ire. According to on-course reporter John Wood, Fitzpatrick referred to his rival’s pace as “glacial.” This prompted Fitzpatrick to lodge a complaint with a tournament official after waiting for an extended period as Dumont de Chassart set up his shots.
Response from PGA Tour Officials
- After Fitzpatrick’s complaint, Dumont de Chassart received an official warning from PGA Tour officials.
- Orlando Pope, the tour’s rules director, confirmed that Dumont de Chassart was unofficially timed during the round.
Fitzpatrick was able to remain focused amid the delays. He regained his momentum by making a crucial birdie on the par-three 15th hole. In the end, Fitzpatrick completed the round with a three-under-par 68, securing the title with an impressive total of 11 under for the week.
Results and Future Outlook
Fitzpatrick’s victory marked his third win on the PGA Tour, adding to his previous titles at the U.S. Open and RBC Heritage. He also enters the upcoming Masters with a surge of confidence, having recently secured a win at the DP World Tour Championship in November.
Dumont de Chassart finished the day with a score of three-over-par 74, placing him in a tie for 26th position. The contrasting performances highlighted both players’ challenges on the course during the intense competition.
