Matt Fitzpatrick has secured his second PGA Tour victory of the season, overcoming a late stumble to defeat world number one Scottie Scheffler in a play-off at the RBC Heritage. Fitzpatrick, who held a three-shot lead heading into the final round, seemed in control after extending his advantage with two birdies in his first three holes at Harbour Town Golf Links. However, Scheffler mounted a late challenge, closing with back-to-back birdies to force a play-off after Fitzpatrick bogeyed the final hole.
The Englishman regained his composure, firing his approach to 12 feet on the first play-off hole and sinking the birdie to claim his second RBC Heritage title in four years. This win propels Fitzpatrick to a career-high world ranking of third and makes him the fourth Englishman to achieve multiple PGA Tour wins in the same season, following in the footsteps of Sir Nick Faldo, Justin Rose, and Luke Donald. Fitzpatrick's victory came after a dramatic final round, where he initially extended his overnight lead with a 10-foot birdie at the first hole.
Despite failing to capitalize on the par-five second, he restored a four-shot buffer with a 15-foot birdie at the third. The pair traded pars until Scheffler birdied the ninth, with both players missing the green in regulation at the 10th before securing close-range pars.
As the round progressed, Fitzpatrick and Scheffler remained locked in a tight battle, with neither able to gain a decisive advantage. Fitzpatrick's win was sealed when he composed himself to find the green in regulation on the first play-off hole, while Scheffler finished short and faced a challenging par putt. Scheffler's runner-up finish marked his second consecutive second-place finish, following his performance at The Masters last Sunday.
The PGA Tour now heads to Louisiana for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where Fitzpatrick will partner his brother Alex in a two-man team event.