In Gurugram, Alex Fitzpatrick secured a two-shot victory over Eugenio Chacarra, claiming the Indian Open 2026 title after a double bogey recovery.
The Indian Open often provides opportunities for underdogs. Last year, Eugenio Chacarra achieved success despite being an invite-only participant.
While Chacarra was a strong competitor, Alex Fitzpatrick also aimed for success. He qualified for the DP World Tour through the HotelPlanner Tour in 2024 and aimed to achieve a breakthrough on the main tour.
The Fitzpatrick family's golfing background provided support, and Alex believed he could achieve success on the big stage.
The key was patience, and that's exactly what happened throughout the week, culminating in the final 18 holes of the US$ 2.55 million event.
A double bogey on this course can have significant consequences, but Fitzpatrick overcame it with a par on the 18th. He became a champion, and his name will be remembered globally – Fitzpatrick. He won US$433,500.
The siblings achieved a historic feat, winning consecutively on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour. Matt Fitzpatrick won the Valspar Championship last Sunday, and Alex has now followed suit on the DP World Tour.
The joyous celebration on the 18th green and the encouraging words from his caddie, "I'm proud of you," reflected the moment. The lead group, comprising Chacarra, Fitzpatrick, and MJ Daffue, teed off earlier than planned due to anticipated bad weather.
Chacarra held a four-shot lead, and it was unclear if the change in start affected his performance. However, Chacarra's final round wasn't as strong as his earlier rounds.
The see-saw battle with Daffue initially saw Fitzpatrick catch up with Chacarra with a birdie on the 13th, setting the stage for the final push.
Chacarra responded with a strong finish, but Fitzpatrick's late surge put him in a commanding position.
Fitzpatrick's remarkable comeback, overcoming early bogeys, was a turning point. This allowed him to maintain his composure and focus on the task at hand.
Chacarra's birdie on the 13th signaled a change in momentum, and Fitzpatrick acknowledged his opponent, signaling his determination to compete.
With five holes remaining, the outcome was uncertain. Despite the pressure, Fitzpatrick continued his strong performance, adding three more birdies in the final seven holes.
The pressure on Chacarra, defending his title, and Fitzpatrick's late surge created a tense situation. The three consecutive dropped shots between the 15th and 17th holes ultimately took the wind out of Chacarra's sails.
Fitzpatrick's final moments were crucial, and he delivered, sinking a long putt on the 18th to secure victory.
This victory was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication for Fitzpatrick.
"Hopefully, I can continue to push on," said Fitzpatrick.
The string of strong performances leading up to this one had built momentum, and the relief of achieving victory was palpable.
"It can be hard sometimes when you're constantly chasing someone's accolades, but luckily, it's my brother, so it's not horrific. It's extremely nice to join him in the winner's ranks. I idolise him, so just trying to be like him in every way. So, hopefully we can keep doing well," he said.
Manoj S. (76-70-76-76) finished tied 43rd with Om Prakash Chouhan (73-71-73-81).
Manoj won the best Indian performance award.
Kshitij Naveed Kaul (73-75-77-82) finished 64th.
Final results:
Alex Fitzpatrick 279 (70, 68, 72, 69) US $ 433,500
Eugenio Chacarra 281 (67, 69, 70, 75) US$ 280,500
MJ Daffue 283 (71, 67, 72, 73); Andy Sullivan (72, 71, 69, 71); Ugo Coussaud (71, 69, 74, 69) US $ 132,090 each
Ewen Ferguson 285 (70, 73, 69, 73); Calum Hill (69, 73, 72, 71); Francesco Molinari (72, 72, 71, 70) US $ 76,500 each