OPEN DE FRANCE

September 26, 2026

Matt Fitzpatrick

Le Golf National

Quick Quotes

Q. A 65, five-shot lead going into tomorrow, but try and describe for us.

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, just another really, really solid day. I felt really comfortable out there. I think to birdie first, it's always nice to kind of get off to a nice start like that.

And then 2-under through 3, and you can kind of kick on from there. And I felt like that my game was pretty solid all day. I was disappointed to drop my one shot, to be honest. It will kind of stick with me.

Q. I know you've won three times already on the PGA TOUR this season, but you seem in fantastic form. Where does this kind of rank on the year for 2026, the way you're playing at the moment?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I guess it's difficult to say, really. I was disappointed kind of at the Open, and then my form in the playoffs, I didn't play how I would have wanted to do it to end the PGA TOUR season.

But, yeah, I had a good week last week, and obviously playing well so far. So feel like I'm in a nice spot to have a good offseason and kick on.

Q. Any great moment today? I want to ask about that. The shot at 16, the chip that you made looked ridiculously easy.

MATT FITZPATRICK: I'll be brutally honest, it is nice to be placing, I feel like it is needed, but it is nice to have that bonus that helps give yourself a little bit of a helping. And, yeah, I said to Dan, I was a bit disappointed, actually. Came off a little hotter than I was hoping.

So I knew I could get a lot of spin. These wedges are only two weeks old. So, yeah, it was obviously a nice up-and-down there. We were still kind of bamboozled by what had happened, the 8-iron went so far.

Q. Big chance obviously tomorrow to win, the oldest tournament in continental Europe here on the DP World Tour. What are your thoughts about possibly winning tomorrow?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, it'd be amazing. It would be amazing to be part of the history. I said at the start of the week, this tournament has a lot of history and a lot of great winners. It was one of my -- I think it was my second professional start as well. So, you know, some form of connection here as well.

And, yeah, I've got to go out and play my own game. I feel like I'm in a position that if I go and shoot a good round tomorrow, then obviously it makes it almost impossible to catch. But long way to go, and just take it hole by hole.

Q. A 65, five-shot lead going into tomorrow, but try and describe for us.

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, just another really, really solid day. I felt really comfortable out there. I think to birdie first, it's always nice to kind of get off to a nice start like that.

And then 2-under through 3, and you can kind of kick on from there. And I felt like that my game was pretty solid all day. I was disappointed to drop my one shot, to be honest. It will kind of stick with me.

Q. I know you've won three times already on the PGA TOUR this season, but you seem in fantastic form. Where do this kind of rank on the year for 2026, the way you're playing at the moment?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I guess it's difficult to say, really. I was disappointed kind of at the Open, and then my form in the playoffs, I didn't play how I would have wanted to do it to end the PGA TOUR season.

But, yeah, I had a good week last week, and obviously playing well so far. So feel like I'm in a nice spot to have a good offseason and kick on.

Q. Any great moment today? I want to ask about that. The shot at 16, the chip that you made looked ridiculously easy.

MATT FITZPATRICK: I'll be brutally honest, it is nice to be placing, I feel like it is needed, but it is nice to have that bonus that helps give yourself a little bit of a helping. And, yeah, I said to Dan, I was a bit disappointed, actually. Came off a little hotter than I was hoping.

So I knew I could get a lot of spin. These wedges are only two weeks old. So, yeah, it was obviously a nice up-and-down there. We were still kind of bamboozled by what had happened, the 8-iron went so far.

Q. Big chance obviously tomorrow to win, the oldest tournament in continental Europe here on the DP World Tour. What are your thoughts about possibility winning tomorrow?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, it'd be amazing. It would be amazing to be part of the history. I said at the start of the week, this tournament has a lot of history and a lot of great winners. It was one of my -- I think it was my second professional start as well. So, you know, some form of connection here as well.

And, yeah, I've got to go out and play my own game. I feel like I'm in a position that if I go and shoot a good round tomorrow, then obviously it makes it almost impossible to catch. But long way to go, and just take it hole by hole.

Q. What you do for the last three days, was it a healthy hike for you?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, it's been a great three days. Obviously I put myself in a good position to play well tomorrow, and then hopefully can continue to go forward.

Q. How would you rank your golfing form within the year?

MATT FITZPATRICK: It's been a great year. It's probably been the best year of my career. So to sort of continue that form throughout the year is obviously really nice, positive, and, you know, hopefully can kind of play well tomorrow to continue that.

Q. We were wondering, is he going to make a bogey this week out here, and on number 8, but, yeah, apart from that, it's like perfect golf week right now.

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, I've scrambled really well. My putting there on the last was really good, and 17 was really good, and chip shot on 18.

So there are times where you have to dig in, and you're not going to hit every shot perfect, even though I still have not learned that in 11 years at all. But, yeah, I'm pleased with the way I dug in and had a lot of good golf shots.

Q. How confident in your game, in your ability to win this week, basically of like several shots ahead of the tournament? How confident are you like you're going to win?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, listen, I think you've got to have confidence that you are going to go and win. I think I've got to stick to my game. It's obviously a cliche, but a cliche for a reason. And to me I've obviously given myself a good opportunity tomorrow and hopefully can go and take it.

Q. Matt, I have to warn you because for three days the French public is keen on you. But tomorrow you're going to play with a French guy; the cheer will be mostly for French guy. So are you ready for that?

MATT FITZPATRICK: Yeah, that's okay. They've been great fans so far. So I appreciate the support. But, yeah, it will be a great day, and looking forward to it.