Matt Fitzpatrick explained that his caddie echoed the motivational phrasing that Rory McIlroy heard during his 2025 Grand Slam run, and that the familiar words helped spark a dramatic play‑off win at the RBC Heritage on Sunday. Fitzpatrick entered the final round at Harbour Town Golf Links with a comfortable four‑stroke cushion, but a wayward shot on the 18th hole produced a bogey that dropped his total to one‑under 70, forcing a sudden‑death showdown with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
On the first extra hole, Fitzpatrick launched an aggressive approach that landed just 12 feet from the pin. He then rolled in a clutch birdie putt to secure his fourth PGA Tour title and his second victory in as many starts. The scene echoed a similar finish for McIlroy, who had also stumbled on the final day before beating Justin Rose in a play‑off at Augusta National last April to complete his career Grand Slam. Fitzpatrick said his caddie, Daniel Parratt, delivered a line that McIlroy had famously used after his own Masters triumph, and the parallel boosted his confidence when it mattered most.
"He actually said, ‘getting to the tee, we’d have taken this start of the week,’" Fitzpatrick recalled after the win. "I know Rory said that the other week.
I joked, ‘Oh okay, here he is, Harry Diamond here.’ We had a good laugh, but I felt in a great spot, and the four‑iron I hit was out of this world." Fitzpatrick had built a three‑stroke lead at the start of the day and was briefly four ahead, but a late wobble and two consecutive birdies by Scheffler erased that margin, sending the tournament into its fourth play‑off in five years. The Englishman praised his resilience, noting the importance of staying composed after a poor three‑putt on the second hole of the final round.
"Just a lot of grit," he said. "I knew Scottie was going to make some birdies down the stretch, so I had to hang on.
This tournament has been a dream of mine since I was a kid—arguably more than any major before I truly understood the game. Winning it twice would mean the world, and to go toe‑to‑toe with Scottie on the 73rd hole was special." During the play‑off, Fitzpatrick also took a light‑hearted swipe at the American Ryder Cup fans who cheered loudly for Scheffler.
After sinking the winning putt, he cupped his hand to his ear in a celebratory gesture and addressed the gallery’s enthusiastic chanting. "No, Americans are incredibly patriotic and I think that was amazing," he laughed. "The only issue is they have shorter memories because we won in October." He added that the crowd’s energy was a positive factor, not a distraction. "It didn’t get out of line—no one was shouting during backswing—so it was great," Fitzpatrick explained.
"I love the atmosphere. I grew up watching football, and I’m paid a lot of money to play in front of crowds.
Having them chant at you every week feels fantastic. But there’s no better feeling than winning against your biggest rival in that environment. It was loud, but it never crossed the line." Scheffler, for his part, praised the spectators as well.
"It’s nice always to get some support from the crowd. I thought they were pretty cordial, cheering for me and not against Fitzy, so I was definitely appreciative of that," he said.
Scheffler’s own round was impressive—a bogey‑free 67 that featured four birdies, leaving him tied with Fitzpatrick at 18 under par. However, the four‑time major champion finished runner‑up for the second straight week on the PGA Tour, having lost to McIlroy at the Masters the week before and now to Fitzpatrick at the Heritage. Reflecting on his performance, Scheffler noted, "I did some solid stuff. I think I had only one bogey over the weekend here, so I did a lot of really good things.
Would have liked to see a few more putts go in, but overall I executed the way I wanted to. In both weeks—The Masters and the Heritage—I put myself behind the eight‑ball going into the weekend, then had nice Saturdays and Sundays to get into contention. On Sunday, it’s a shot here or there that makes the difference.
This was one of those weeks where anytime Fitzy needed something to happen, he made something happen. He definitely earned the win, and he just played great golf." The RBC Heritage victory propels Fitzpatrick into the next PGA Tour stop, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a two‑man team event at TPC Louisiana where defending champions Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin will look to repeat. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with early coverage beginning Thursday at 1 p.m. and full coverage from 8 p.m., or stream the tournament without a contract via the network’s online platform.
Beyond the immediate excitement, Fitzpatrick’s win underscores how mental cues and shared experiences can shape performance under pressure. By borrowing a phrase that had previously motivated a Grand Slam champion, he tapped into a narrative of perseverance that resonated with his own journey. The episode also highlights the evolving role of caddies as more than just club‑car drivers; they act as psychologists, strategists, and sometimes, the source of a memorable line that can shift a player’s mindset at a critical moment. In the broader context of professional golf, the RBC Heritage continues to be a proving ground for emerging talents and established stars alike.
Its coastal layout at Harbour Town demands precision on tight fairways and strategic shot‑making around the iconic lighthouse. Fitzpatrick’s ability to recover from a late‑round slip, manage the pressure of a play‑off, and ultimately out‑perform the world’s top‑ranked player showcases the depth of skill required to succeed on such a demanding stage. As the tour moves south to Louisiana, the narrative of resilience, caddie‑player chemistry, and fan engagement will likely continue to unfold, offering further stories of triumph and near‑misses that keep golf enthusiasts worldwide captivated.