Players Championship: Cameron Young takes the title from Matt Fitzpatrick

Cameron Young snatched the prestigious Players Championship title from the grasp of Matt Fitzpatrick in a pulsating finish at TPC Sawgrass.

Fitzpatrick was looking to become the first Englishman to win a PGA Tour main event, driving one into the 17th, but a par finish cost him as Young closed in for the birdie to complete the biggest victory of his career.

“I got nervous on the eight-inch putt on the last, and the gap seemed so small,” smiled Young, who shot a four-under-par 68 to win his second PGA Tour title on 13 under par.

The American started the final round four shots behind Ludwig Aberg, but the Swede, who led the field by three points with nine points to play, had his hopes collapsed on two of the many lakes on the field.

Aberg’s seemingly quiet march to the title was abruptly halted by his visits to the water on the 11th and 12th holes, which cost him those three shots.

Fitzpatrick, who missed achievable birdie opportunities from 15, 11, 11 and seven feet on four straight holes from the eighth, birdied the 12th and 13th to move into the lead by 13 under.

But his playing partner Young stuck to him, and also hit a shot in the 13th minute to stay behind.

Young was still a long way off the very difficult 17th, where the green was almost surrounded by water.

But he rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt, while Fitzpatrick could only make two putts for par and the players walked to the 18th tee for the final shootout.

Fitzpatrick was greeted by gesticulating boos from partisan fans who were predictably rooting for their man.

“The crowd was child’s play compared to Bethpage,” the Yorkshireman said, referring to the treatment given to European players at last September’s Ryder Cup in New York.

“If they think this was a thing, they need to reevaluate. Go to New York.”

“I knew it was coming. I find it funny.”

While Young elicited “USA” chants after crushing a perfect drive 375 yards down the fairway, Fitzpatrick went straight and through the trees, cutting him unable to reach the green in two.

“I felt like I had a good drive but once you get out of position it’s hard to get even,” the Yorkshireman said.

More to follow.