Matt Fitzpatrick has revealed how advice from his caddie, echoing words used by Rory McIlroy during his Grand Slam win, inspired him to a thrilling playoff victory at the RBC Heritage. Fitzpatrick had let a four-shot lead slip away during the final round at Harbour Town Golf Links, but he responded with a winning birdie in the playoff against world No 1 Scottie Scheffler. The Englishman's caddie, Daniel Parratt, had offered words of encouragement, saying 'we'd have taken this start of the week', which was similar to what McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, had said during his Masters win.
Fitzpatrick said he felt like he was in a good spot and hit an incredible four-iron shot to set up his winning birdie. He had taken a three-shot lead into the final day and was briefly four clear, but a late stumble and back-to-back birdies from Scheffler forced a playoff. Fitzpatrick held on with 'a lot of grit' and said it was special to win the tournament for the second time. Scheffler, who finished runner-up for the second successive week on the PGA Tour, said Fitzpatrick 'earned the win' and played great golf.