"I Believe in My Own Ability:" Matt Fitzpatrick Says After Runner-Up Finish at The Players Championship

Mar 16, 2026, 3:15 AM CUT

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 08: Matt Fitzpatrick of England hits a drive at the 15th hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2026 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 08, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 08 PGA, Golf Herren Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon5732603080134

Matt Fitzpatrick came within a single shot of winning The Players Championship. His runner-up finish isn't a story of defeat, however. It's a testament to his renewed confidence, a journey that started with a major team shake-up.

After discussing his recent form and the narrow miss, Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, stated, "I think the big thing is I believe in my own ability. I feel like I've been doing a ton of good work with Mark Blackburn and just really, really seen so many positive signs over the last 12 months, really."

It all goes back to last year's edition of this event. He shot rounds of 78 and 72, losing nearly three shots to the rest of the field in strokes gained. What followed was a split with his longtime caddie Billy Foster. The same pattern followed in the next tournament. What was becoming even more frustrating was his tournament-winning iron game going sideways.

PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Matt Fitzpatrick of England tees off on the tenth hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2026 on February 13, 2026 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 13 PGA, Golf Herren AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602130092

That's why he parted ways with swing coach Mike Walker, who had been with Fitzpatrick since he was 14. In his place, he brought up Blackburn, who insisted on speaking to Walker first.

Fans saw the impact immediately. Fitzpatrick finished T8 at the PGA Championship. And more recently, it has resulted in a 9th-place finish at the WM Phoenix Open and now, a runner-up spot at the PLAYERS.

He was able to "make two quick birdies there on 13 and 14" and take the lead going into the back nine. However, he lost the chance to grab the trophy due to missed opportunities on the par-5s.

And it all came down to the final hole. After Young hit a 375-yard drive, Fitzpatrick responded with a 352-yard drive of his own. However, it managed to drift into the pine, ending all hope of a win.

And That's Part of the Frustration

I feel like I don't -- I was saying last night to my psychologist, I feel like I'm very good at getting myself into position between 15 and 5. I don't feel like -- I don't feel like I get in enough positions between 5 and 1st."

In any case, Fitzpatrick is off to a hot start this season. After two seasons on the PGA Tour where he didn't finish in the top 30, he can make a massive difference off his current momentum.

I feel like if I can do that, obviously it's easier said than done, then I believe I will win more. It's obviously easier said than done, but I back myself down the stretch, and I feel like if I can do that, then it'll be good things."

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar