Matt Fitzpatrick entered the 2025 Omega European Masters knowing it was his final opportunity to influence Ryder Cup captain’s pick discussions. The former European Masters champion didn’t disappoint, cutting through the fog (quite literally) to stay in contention.
On Day One, he finished at -3, just two strokes off the lead despite weather disruptions that delayed play. His steady start showcased course familiarity and early composure.
By Saturday’s third round, Fitzpatrick had climbed even closer to the top, moving within two shots of first place–clear evidence he wasn’t just coasting, but contending.
When the final leaderboard settled, Fitzpatrick finished T5 at -19, a respectable showing in a stacked field.
Stats Show Focus Sharpened
One subtle but key standout during Fitzpatrick’s run was his performance on the greens. Across the first two rounds, he ranked 17th and 15th in putting average at Crans-sur-Sierre–solid numbers that helped maintain momentum heading into the weekend.
A memorable moment came Saturday on the Par-4 7th, where Fitzpatrick laid up for eagle–his aggressive play paying off as the ball sat 13 feet from the hole. That risky strategy reflected his calculated approach: knowing when to seize advantage in a tight leaderboard.
Crans-sur-Sierre holds special significance for Fitzpatrick. He has won the European Masters twice–in 2017 and 2018–becoming a fan favorite and a reliable presence on this alpine stage.
This performance extended a love affair with the course. With five top-ten finishes in his last seven worldwide starts leading into the event, his consistency now adds even more weight to his Ryder Cup resume.
The Putter Upgrade That Made a Difference
One often-overlooked adjustment may have made all the difference: Fitzpatrick switched from his long-standing Bettinardi DASS BB1 to the new Bettinardi DASS BB48 Proto mallet ahead of the European Masters. After testing numerous prototypes, he made the change just in time for the event.
Live results proved the move wise: he carded consecutive 66s during the tournament and produced one of the better putting performances, ranking 17th and 15th in putting average, with just 27 and 26 putts in Rounds 1 and 2 respectively. This equipment update reinforced Fitzpatrick’s competitive edge and may have helped sustain his strong performance through the weekend.
Ryder Cup Roulette: Where Fitzpatrick Stands
As the automatic qualifiers for Team Europe are finalized, Fitzpatrick sits just outside the locked spots–ranked 11th on the points list with roughly 899 points, just shy of the cutoff.
With captain’s picks being announced on September 1, Fitzpatrick’s European Masters performance gives a timely boost. Luke Donald values form and experience; both Fitzpatrick’s greatest strengths.
However, his Ryder Cup past is a mixed bag: three appearances since 2016 but only 1 point from 8 matches. That historical stat line may cause hesitation when Donald weighs options.
“I’m just happy with where my game’s at at the minute. Just trying to be really patient, not force it, and just keep hitting solid shots,” Fitzpatrick said.
Still, his recent resurgence–notably a T8 at the PGA Championship and other strong results–reinforce the narrative that Fitzpatrick may have trusted experience when it matters most.
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